Imagine travelling to another country on a school expedition and being able to engage less fortunate kids how to play our great game...
Gareth Hunt, a Caloundra Panthers youngster, is not one to miss an opportunity on or off the AFL field and recently travelled to Cambodia and Laos on a World Challenge Expedition.
Caloundra State High School have been participating in the World Challenge Expedition for the last two years and Gareth saw this as a massive opportunity to be exposed to new cultures and take a little bit of Australia to those who know little about our country.
“As a part of the program we were encouraged to look at how we could introduce the people in our host village to part of the Australian culture,” Hunt said.
“With equipment donated from the AFL Sunshine Coast office I set out to so some Auskick clinics with students from the village school.”
Caloundra SHS teacher, Sandy Connie believes that this experience provides the students with an appreciation for what they have and how little things count to those who are less fortunate.
“The Caloundra High team assisted with building foundations for a new classroom, painting a new library, teaching English and running sporting activities which included basic AFL skills,” Ms Connie said.
In a truly humbling and heart warming experience for students and teachers alike, Ms Connie knows that this opportunity is a life-changing experience for all involved.
“The team collected and donated an impressive amount of sporting equipment, school resources, clothing and toys to improve the lives of children in Mikak Village.
“Caloundra High students returned home with an immense sense of gratitude and appreciation of what they have as well as a true admiration for the Cambodian people who are family orientated, generous and happy living very simple lives.”
Now you have the resources and ability to be involved in this travel and cultural experience, how do you teach AFL to kids who have never seen a football before and can barely understand English?
Cue, Gareth and his years of AFL experience, knowledge and resources.
“After teaching some Maths in the classroom I got the chance to run my first Auskick Clinic with the students as a part of an after school recreation activity,” Hunt said.
“The kids, needless to say, were very excited; especially when I arrived with a bag full of footy’s in an array of colours- green, purple and yellow.”
Upon receiving the AFL resources from the AFL Sunshine Coast Office, Gareth was worded up by some of the best in the business about how to run a successful Auskick Clinic and some communication techniques that are useful.
This is all fair and reasonable in the perfect word...
“Nothing went to plan, kids and footy’s were everywhere and the interpreter struggled to find the right words for kicking and handballing instructions... quiet funny really,” Hunt said.
“For the next 45 minutes kids were running around everywhere, footy’s flying and lots of contagious laughter.
“It may not have been the most structured Auskick clinic ever held but as our teacher, Ms Connie said, ‘the kids enjoyed themselves so much, who cares?’.”
Upon returning home Gareth reflects on an amazing overseas trip and appreciates the velocity of the experience for those kids in the Mikak Village.
“Who would have thought that some footy’s from the AFL Sunshine Coast Office would end up half way around the world being kicked and chased by these kids who had never seen one before?.”
For more information about the World Challenge, check out the website http://www.worldchallenge.com.au/
Last Modified on 02/05/2013 09:12