AFL club Bullish about school clinics

ABOUT 60 schools across western Victoria have signed up for an AFL club’s program promoting football and physical activity.

The Bulldogs in Schools – Footy Skills Program is set to run in terms two and three.

Western Bulldogs club staff attend schools and run participation-focused sessions that include game-based activities.

Last year about 5,500 participants from 59 schools took part in the sessions.

The program includes schools from Smythesdale, Bacchus Marsh, Clunes and Ballarat.

“I think everyone’s been really pleased with the program in itself,” Campbell Waring, the Western Bulldogs’ Ballarat engagement manager, said.

“And with Ballarat being our second home that we’re able to run some of these community programs for them as well and get the kids involved which has been fantastic.

“It’s been a great program over a number of years now, just keeps going from strength to strength.”

Waring said the club had received positive feedback about how it engaged children.

“Sometimes it’s the students’ first exposure to football,” he said. “We get a good take-up with it because sometimes it’s the first time, [so] we just want them really to have fun with the sessions and enjoy perhaps have a little bit of learning as well.

“But it’s really just about fun and making it enjoyable with the kids, so that hopefully they want to participate at some level with football as well.”

He said the benefits included promoting sport and recreation and physical activity.

For the Bulldogs, he said the clinics helped develop the club’s connection to the region.

“We’re actually seeing a lot more red, white and blue at the footy colours day, so it’s a real strong component now,” Waring said.

Schools interested in hosting the clinics can phone Waring on 0427 839 548.