IT’S GO GO GO AT IONA!

A successful lift

If you heard a lot of screaming and shouting coming from Mosman Park last Wednesday, I’m not surprised. This is because the Sports Challenge team, led by Programs Coordinator Jacqui Finnegan, joined forces with the Yr 8’s at Iona Presentation College to create a day of learning, excitement and certainly lots of fun.

The day started with the opportunity for the coaches and students to get to know each other through a number of activities, including the always popular ‘Have You Ever’. Having such interesting and exciting lives, the Iona girls certainly kept the experiences creative and the movement flowing. Some of the girls seemed to have done more in their short lives than the coaches!

During a break in activities, coaches Briony Keenan and Michael Stuart put on a gymnastic spectacle for their class and many onlookers, showing off the skills needed for their work with the sport of cheerleading. It was so impressive that it motivated a few of the girls to try their hand at it which all in all was quite a show for the locals passing by. Mentor Julian Leach, who was also in that group, was unable to show off his gymnastic skills because of a ‘supposed’ sore back.

Teamwork is a must

After learning a bit about themselves in the journals, the girls had to learn a lot about themselves during the activity ‘House of Ropes’. As a team, the girls were to make a house out of 7 ropes, which seemed easy enough until they realised they had to do this blindfolded. This proved to be quite a challenge and while the girls tried to adjust to life without sight, the symmetry of the houses suffered and certain important components such as rooves or doors were just completely ignored. Eventually they became more comfortable and their strong teamwork came to the front and they completed the task with ease.

There was a short chance for the girls to have some lunch and the coaches to regain their composure and then it was right into the midst of sunshine, movement and lots of adrenaline with the afternoon activities. Our soccer experts, John & Calum O’Connell had the girls dribbling, passing and shooting with the best of them during the soccer activity while on the other side of the oval the big blue mat of ‘Abacus’ gave the groups the chance to come up with a strategy and then put it motion in an attempt to break an Iona record time of 43 seconds. They were of course up for the challenge. All this made it surprising that the girls still had energy left for ‘The Grid’ but judging by all the noise that was coming from the oval, it was clear that they did.

It's all smiles!

All too soon it was time for the girls to head back to school yet I think everyone would agree it had been another highly enjoyable day for students, teachers and coaches. It wouldn’t be too long until the Sports Challenge team would be back to Iona for more activities and intellectual discussions, but for the moment it was a chance to reflect on the great day for all involved.

A RACE LIKE NO OTHER TO FINISH ANOTHER EXCELLENT PROGRAM AT SCOTCH

CJ and Yannick take a moment to pose for a photo

Another Friday goes past and so does another Scotch College session. But there was a slightly different feeling in the air because this was the final session for the first group of boys which means one thing, it was Challenge time!

The two groups had been designed a challenge by the Sports Challenge team which asked them to complete a number of activities done earlier in the program such as ‘That Mat’, ‘The Grid’ and ‘Abacus’ while having to Swamp Cross to each of these activities and finally across the finish line. Of course these had to be done as quickly as possible because the two groups were racing

The boys getting ready for Abacus

 each other with prizes for the winner, not to mention a lot of pride at stake.

So it was up to the groups to remember back to the activities and have their strategies sorted pre-race as there would be no margin for error in this highly anticipated face off. Group 1, led by coaches Richard Heptinstall and David Chitty, was quietly confident they could pull off an unlikely victory against the might of Jesse Phillips and Julia Simpson’s Group 2 but knew it was not going to be easy against their formidable opponent. It was set to be a race like no other!

With CJ Jackson providing his usual sensational motivation for both teams the race was tight the whole way through. Group 1 had taken an early lead through the first Swamp Crossing but stumbled on the Abacus as Group 2 literally jumped into the lead. Both teams were solid through The Grid but Group 2 still held onto a slim lead. It was then onto That Mat which as always had both groups tearing their hair out to make the pieces fit. Finally it all came together and it was neck and neck coming into the last Swamp Crossing. Either team could have won in as it came down to the last couple of mats but in the end Group 1 got across the line for a memorable victory.

It was a great day to top off a highly enjoyable program which had a bit of everything. The boys had the opportunity to develop their leadership, communication and teamwork skills all while participating in challenging but fun activities. And although this program ends, the boys and the coaches won’t be forgetting this extraordinary race in a hurry!

ST GEORGE DRAGON ROARS AT GUILDFORD PRIMARY

The Sports Challenge Team in partnership with the St George Foundation have assisted Guildford Primary students in reaching new heights with their life skills and fitness levels.

Guildford Primary’s daily fitness program has been proven worthy as students from all Years have achieved outstanding scores in fitness and skill testing. Establishing once and for all that a little effort from everyone goes a long way.

Not only have Guildford students been showing their exceptional skills outside the classroom, they have also been excelling within the classroom. A select group of students have been working with Sports Challenge mentors Jacqui Finnegan (Programs Coordinator), Jeremy Olman, Christal Ryan, Jesse Phillips, Richard Heptinstall and Rebecca Barrett to improve their life skills and have some fun along the way. These students worked successfully on improving their resilience, team work, communication skills and aspirational goals for the future. They are now putting these skills to good use at home, in the classroom and with their peers.

The GALA Day was the perfect way to finish off our time at Guildford. The students receiving a Sports Challenge certificate for their fantastic efforts throughout the program and a yummy sausage sizzle to excite their tummies.

MERREDIN STUDENTS SHOW THEY CAN BE THE FUTURE OF THE W.A. WHEATBELT

After driving three hours east from Perth into the heart of wheat and sheep country lies the town of Merredin. This is the electorate of MLA Julian Grills where he was linked with the term ‘Royalties for Regions’ channelling government funds into regional W.A. to upgrade infrastructure.

He can be reassured after Sports Challenge has recently completed a number of programs in Merredin schools for baseline fitness and skill testing, life skill programs at the primary and secondary schools, along with a leadership program at the high school.

Under the guidance of Kath Ward, principal of the secondary school, 14 potential leaders were put through their paces by mentors former Australian Women’s Hockey player Jo Morton (now married to a local farmer), Soccer player Kieran McDowell, Health Science and International sailer Lori Black and AFL Umpire Richard Heptinstall.

The students were measured on their Emotional Intelligence, Time Management Resilience and all showed clearly they have enormous potential to lead the community of Merredin in years to come. With a new super school seen to be constructed, amalgamating all primary and secondary students on one campus the need to retain the future leaders in the community is paramount.

Each student has been linked to their mentor on the Sports Challenge website called e-pals to galvanise the established relationship and to provide ongoing support and advice (24×7).

As the weary mentors drove back past the golden canola fields towards Perth each one new they had made a real contribution to this wonderful town and if these potential leaders can stay Merredin has a bright future.

SUCCESS, FOREST CRESCENT AND GROVELANDS SCHOOLS SHINE IN W.A.

Under the excellent stewardship of Jacqui Finnegan (Sports Challenge Programs Coordinator) selected students from three primary schools in the Southern Perth metropolitan area have kicked some great goals in new life skills.

With lead coach Richard Heptinstall and mentors David Chitty, Rebecca Barrett, Lori Black and John O’Connell, the selected students have improved their self esteem, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, team work and are now really valuing their peers, family and school.

Working with their own student work booklets and using experiential learning methods these students have improved their resilience as measured objectively and now have genuine aspirations for life’s uncertain journey.

Congratulations to all involved.

PMH KIDS ROCK OUT AT POINT WALTER

The Sports Challenge Team had a fun filled week camping out at Point Walter (Bicton, WA) helping PMH Diabetes kids reach Rock Stardom!

Sports Challenge coaches Jeremy Olman, Christal Ryan, Amanda Hopps and Rebecca Barrett, led by Programs Coordinator Jacqui Finnegan, tested these kids on how much they really know about diabetes through the Diabetes Amazing Race. They, of course, excelled at this and it was the coaches who ended up learning a thing or two.

With the theme of the camp being ‘Rock Stars’, we wanted to ensure that everyone had the necessary equipment and looks to form a Rock Band. This included designing their own T-shirts baring their Rock Bands name, creating unique hair styles and making their very own guitars to suit their look. Now they were ready to strut their stuff. Each band performed on stage and they all proved that were now Rock Stars.

Amongst the rocking out, the kids also unleashed their wild side participating in dare devil activities such as the flying fox and high ropes. They used their smarts to build rafts and took them out for a spin on the river with zero capsizing. They then put their aiming to the test during archery.

As we had such hot conditions all week, the kids enjoyed splashing about in the pool and relaxing in the shade of the trees. It was a great end to the camp with the Team Spirit Challenge that consisted of Swamp Crossing, The Grid and Abacus. In groups, the kids needed work as a team to get through each activity in order to be the victor.

The Rock Star camp was indeed an eventful and enjoyable one. Working with a great team from PMH, Diabetes WA and volunteers made it that much more successful and the kids had a ball. It was a great experience for them to be able meet people just like them and make new friends.