On Saturday 12th April Subiaco played Swan Districts in the WAFL match of the round. Most spectators who attended the match would have been expecting a great contest between the two clubs and they weren’t disappointed. Subiaco went into half time with an 18 point lead and the stage was cleared for the newest team of Subiaco players to enter.
That same loyal band of WAFL supporters who regularly attend and enjoy watching the Little League match at half time could have been forgiven for thinking they were in remote Africa. Both Subiaco and Swan Districts Little League teams comprised students from the Balga Senior High School Intensive English Centre.
Balga Senior High School, who have recently been reallocated to the Subiaco Football District have enjoyed a fruitful partnership in term one of the 2008 schooling year. Subiaco have conducted an Australian Football coaching program for the Swan Nyoongar Sports Education Program, assisting with the development of indigenous footballers.
Recognising the diverse cultural and ethnic background within the school’s community, the Subiaco Football District insisted on delivering a football program to attract new participants to the game.
Balga Senior High School’s Intensive English Program provided a unique opportunity to showcase Australian Football and highlighted that football can be a vehicle to engage and unite communities no matter what gender, religion or ethnicity.
If you were witness to the match on Saturday afternoon, you would have been privileged to see natural athletes adjust to a sport that some would say is very difficult to learn.
The players’ skill level was unrefined, but all players had a basic understanding of how to play the game. Subiaco’s Smarter than Smoking District Manager Luke Sanders conducted two skill development clinics in the lead up to the match and said the game was a great success.
“The Subiaco Football District was pleased to provide this opportunity for the Intensive English Students at Balga Senior High School to play Australian Football and represent the Subiaco Football Club.
In our football development sessions with the students, we focussed on the basic skills of kicking, bouncing, marking, handpassing and we reinforced the meaning of the whistle. Stop and listen.
The skill level of the players and basic understanding of the game was very impressive. The students provided a wonderful exhibition for the spectators and the initiative was a huge success.”
The students who were guests of the Subiaco Football Club were awarded with their own Subiaco Football Club show bag containing football, hat, water bottle and poster.
The Subiaco Football District will further enhance their relationship with the Intensive English Students by conducting an eight week football development program commencing in term two.