Surf Coast students head north for footy session

STUDENTS from Surf Coast Secondary College have headed to Corio for an engaging event, and will soon welcome their peers for a reciprocal visit.

The Year 9 and 10 students visited Northern Bay College late last month for the footy-based session.

Surf Coast Secondary College head of student wellbeing Peter Raidme said the Surf Coast group was welcomed by Northern Bay College principal and former Surf Coast Secondary College principal Scott Diamond, as well as former Bell Post Hill senior coach and well-known personal trainer Steve “Stoofa” Lewry.

“They enjoyed a fantastic sharing of their knowledge skills and expertise with each other.

“It was also a chance to get to know each other’s stories – their families, their interests, their communities and their goals.”

Corio police are assisting in the sports-based program at Northern Bay College, and Senior Sergeant Janet Gleeson, Acting Sergeant Emmaline McKinnon, Sergeant Ivana Sarcevic and Acting Sergeant Mark Osborne attended the school during the session.

The event also featured a pair of notable footballers – AFLW player Olivia Purcell, who won Geelong’s best and fairest in 2020 and is now playing in Melbourne’s AFLW side; and Craig Biddiscome, who played more than 70 AFL games for Geelong and Richmond – as well as Liam Brady from AFL Victoria and Mark Burgess from VFL Victoria.

“It was a sensational session for all involved,” Mr Raidme said.

He said Surf Coast Secondary College would host Northern Bay College for the return visit in the coming weeks.