This year’s West is Best carnival returned in full swing with a record number of children turning out for what was a great week of sports and activities.
It was the first time that our Sports Challenge mentors Marcus Colby and Oliver Horton had been to the Northern Territory to work with the Indigenous community and an experience that neither of them will ever forget.
- Sports Challenge mentors Oli and Marcus getting amongst the kids
The Sports Challenge team led by Programs Coordinator Deanna Smith, flew into Kununurra WA, 4 and a half hours North of Perth on Monday 2nd June and spent the night there before heading across to the little hamlet of Timber Creek NT on Tuesday morning to mark out the athletics track and to set up for the week long carnival.
- Sports Challenge Programs Coordinator Deanna with the kids from Timber Creek
It’s always a tough gig for our Sports Challenge team to face the heat after leaving the wintery weather of Perth, but the team adapted quickly and enjoyed the luxury of wearing shorts and t-shirts. After the boys had a big day of working in the heat, they decided that they had not expended enough energy and climbed to the top of the ridge, overlooking Timber Creek and the mighty Victorian River with the sun sinking slowly into the West.
- The beautiful view over Timber Creek
Wednesday morning, the team were up early and headed to the Timber Creek School to meet all of the kids from the surrounding communities of Bulla, Yarralin, Amanbidgi and Kalkaringi ready for the athletics program and experiential fun activities.
It was wonderful to see all of the students doing their best and having fun with children from not only their own school but surrounding communities. West is Best builds communication skills, new friends and positive physical and mental health with all involved.
- The students having fun with the parachute
Sports Challenge’s experiential hands on activities were well received by all of the children, they especially loved the parachute and the crocodile game! The days were long and hot, but it was really worth it to see the large smiles on all of the children’s faces and how well they bonded together.
- All smiles after a fun filled session
The athletics carnival highlighted the fantastic speed and pure natural athletic ability of the Aboriginal children. Records were broken and pure fun had in the three-legged races, egg and spoon races as well as the sack races. It was wonderful to see the staff get involved in the day as well, having their own three-legged race which saw stacks, tribulations, smiles and winners!
- The staff getting involved in the three-legged race
The West is Best Carnival was a wonderful week not only for the schools, but also for our Sports Challenge team. This unique experience to work in the Indigenous community is made even more special by the long-term affiliation Sports Challenge has had with the Timber Creek School community over the past 9 years. We look forward to returning later this year to do our world-class PQ fitness and skill testing with all of the Timber Creek students.