Specialist schools kick goals at AFL All Abilities Gala Day

THE second annual Barwon Region AFL Gala Schools All Abilities Day has gone as a major success and given program facilitators Leisure Networks the confidence to run more gala sports days between local specialist schools in the future.

The football tournament event was held at Armstrong Creek Primary School last Wednesday, with more than 50 players from five specialist schools including Hamlyn Views, Oberon High, Armstrong Creek, Nelson Park and Barwon Valley participating on the day.

The aim of the gala day was to generate healthy and social competition between the specialist schools in the region and provide students with a pathway towards a higher level in the sport.

Leisure Networks program coordinator Luke Maher said the tournament was of the most rewarding days he’s had in the workplace.

“It was absolutely amazing to host it and see it come together as such a success once again.

“It doesn’t take the students too much to get excited, let alone playing games of football against other schools.

“The smiles on their faces made it all worth it all.

“The teachers were also very appreciative and expressed their support of making gala days of this nature a regular occurrence each term.”

Mr Maher said that because of the support of the schools, Leisure Networks will roll out cricket, soccer and basketball days in the future for specialist schools to compete in.

“We definitely think it’s got arms and legs.

“The five schools, plus Colac Specialist School are super keen to see where it goes.

“Over the course of time it’ll help to create some fantastic rivalries between the schools, which they really stoked about.”

The next All Abilities Gala Day will be a soccer tournament at the backend of July at ‘Life Be In It’ in South Geelong.