Footy Better Than TV
By Josh Nyman
Blustery conditions failed to discourage more than 120 children who attended the junior footy clinic at Fremantle Oval on Wednesday, April 22.
Smarter than Smoking development officer Louise McKenry said it was a day for fun games and skill development that kids always looked forward to and enjoyed. “Eagles and South Fremantle players came down to the clinic to help coach under lights,” Ms McKenry said.
“We aim to promote healthy living and highlight the importance of an active lifestyle in conjunction with eating healthy foods – it’s about education as much as anything.”
The clinic was composed of six stations ranging from handballing, kicking skills and a scratch match, to fun activities. Kids could take screamers over players holding marking pads and line up to kick for goal, under the watchful eye of football professionals.
One station had a bouncy castle and a table of healthy fruits and juices where kids could rest and replenish their energy. Some kids like nine-year-old Fraser Patten had traveled more than 150km from the country to attend the clinic. “I’m a farmer and play for the Brookton-Pingelly Panthers,” Fraser said. “My family came all the way up and will stay in the city for the rest of the school holidays.”
The clinic, offered to all girls and boys aged 5-12 years who live and/or play in the Bulldogs district, is run by the South Fremantle district football development council in collaboration with Smarter than Smoking. Malcom Brown brought his six-year-old grandson Jai Hutchinson to the clinic and agreed it was a much healthier holiday option than sitting in front of TV. “Jai wanted to play Auskick and as he’s in Armadale, part of the South Fremantle zone, the clinic gave him the perfect opportunity to have a go,” Mr Brown said. “It’s not just about football. It’s about mixing with other kids and partaking in physical activity, something that doesn’t happen enough these days.”
Kids were coached by a range of accredited staff including West Coast Eagle players Jamie McNamara, Will Schofield, Eric Mackenzie, Will Sullivan and Tim Houlihan.
South Fremantle league players also helped - Toby McGrath, Reece Adams and Kyle Hams to name a few, as well as colts captain Adrian Ricciardello. Reece Adams, whose responsibility was bracing the marking pad, said he copped a hiding and would probably pull up sore the next day. “There’s definitely some potential player material here though,” he said.
