Students jump to be umps
Werribee Primary School students will put both their umpiring and football skills to the test this Friday at a clinic to mark the culmination of an eight week program.
The Active After-school Communities (AASC) program has run sessions at the school during term three and the skills learned in that period will be on show for all to see.
Terry Gunn, of the Western Region Football League (WRFL) umpiring division, said "from an umpiring perspective, the program has allowed us to market umpiring as a rewarding sport, integral to the game of AFL."
It is part of our bigger picture to build a better culture towards the `Men In White', or nowadays yellow, orange and red.
We have introduced umpiring as a `cool and fun' option for the youth of the area, so that as the children develop, they have a positive attitude towards umpiring. Over time we will attract more young men and women to become involved.
"Umpiring is a fantastic way to develop your personal skills and decision making, supervision, presentation and self confidence. It certainly adds quality to the content of a CV as well.
"I have been delighted to see the students have fun during this program. Many of them actually interpret and give some great decisions."
Liz Mulconry, Western Region Football League club development manager, said "by delivering a quality junior football program and introducing children to umpiring in the after school hours, WRFL aims to increase the number of children exposed to football and support and strengthen community cohesion and development."
Salim Hassan, of the Werribee Football Club, will coordinate Western Bulldogs and Werribee Tigers players on Friday as they assist students with tips and skills.
The initiative has also been supported by the AFL and Football Victoria.
Meredith Kelly, from the AASC, commented how pleasing it was to see all the organisations involved coming together in a partnership to provide a program that is clearly very rewarding and stimulating for all involved.
Who: Werribee PS students, Western Bulldogs and Werribee Tigers players, Western Region Football League umpiring division.
What: AFL umpiring and football clinic.
When: Friday, September 15,2.30 - 3.30pm.
Where: Werribee Primary School, Duetgam Street, Werribee.
Last Modified on 22/02/2008 11:06