NOTRE DAME STUDENTS AND LOCAL KIDS HAVE A BALL WITH THE FREO DOCKERS

A group of 21 Notre Dame Health and Physical Education students got to meet and work with the Fremantle Dockers this week while also gaining valuable teaching experience. The students volunteered to supervise children attending the Fremantle Football Club’s first ever School Holiday Program, which provides little footy fans with a chance to learn core skills from their favourite Dockers players.

The students’ role included getting the kids involved in kicking and hand balling activities, teaching them to mark properly and showing them how pick up the ball the right way. They also took them on a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the club’s change rooms, gymnasium, pool and recreational area.

Second year Health and Physical Education student Liam Mitchell said he gained a range of things from participating in the event.

“It was great watching the kids enjoy playing footy, and getting all excited, racing around the oval with their very own Dockers football, getting all the players signatures. They can be a bit of a hand full at times especially the younger ones, so the day provided all the students with some valuable experience when it comes to children and sport.

“I'm certain this experience will definitely prove to be valuable for any one wanting to become a phys ed teacher, primary or high school, and anyone wanting to become involved in the sport and exercise industry, because one of the major targets of recreational sport in the community is at the youth level,” he said.

So was Liam as excited about meeting the Dockers as the smaller fans he was looking after? “Oh, of course, before the players came out we had to chant DOCKERS, DOCKERS, DOCKERS with the kids and I was definitely cheering the loudest (sic). They are really down to earth guys, and it’s really cool just to see them trying to handle 20 or so primary school aged children all wanting to run around, talk, go to the toilet, or get a drink.

“But I would have to say the highlight of the day for me personally was seeing the big smiles on the kids’ faces enjoying sport. It is pretty important that we provide a safe and fun environment for the children to participate in sport, and hopefully this will be the beginning of a healthy and active lifestyle for them. They really were great, they look up to you, like you're one of the players for the Dockers. One of the kids even asked me to sign his Dockers poster!” he said.

 

L-R: Dockers Byron Schammer and Paul Medhurst with Notre Dame students Daniel Demaine and Michael Ferguson, and kids.

L-R: Notre Dame student Liam Mitchell with Docker Ryan Crowley, team mascot Johnny “The Doc” Docker, Docker Andrew Browne and kids.