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Holiday clinic great success |
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Friday, 02 May 2008 |
 Written by Bridget Lacy
The Smarter than Smoking East Fremantle holiday clinic was a great success with more than 110 enthusiastic juniors attending Burrendah reserve in Willetton. Children from grades one to seven were given expert coaching from members of the senior East Fremantle male and female sides and six West Coast Eagles players.
Canning Vale resident Richard Stiles, whose eight-year old son participated, said the clinic was a fantastic initiative that wasn’t available in his youth. “It’s great to have something like this in the school holidays,” Mr Stiles said. “It gives the kids positive activities to do on wet days when they might otherwise be playing video games.”
East Fremantle district manager Troy Kirkham said the club had moved the clinic to Willetton in order to make it more accessible to the entire district. “The numbers are up from 90 last year so perhaps it’s had an effect,” he said.
Boys and girls were full of energy and fun as they practised their skills in front of their heroes. Eleven-year old Eagles supporter Olivia Berros was excited by the day. “I have really enjoyed it,” she said. “I have learnt how to do a torpedo and, although I don’t play junior football at the moment, I would really like to,” she said.
Eagles players Josh Kennedy, Brent Staker, Chris Masten, Jamie McNamara, Matthew Spangher and Tim Houlihan all joined in the fun and were in demand for autographs. Josh Kennedy said he relished the opportunity to contribute to East Fremantle after coming back home from Carlton. “I’ve really enjoyed my day kicking the footy around and having fun with the kids… I’ve never been involved in a clinic this big,” he said. Brent Staker said Barry Hall’s hit on him had been a hot topic among the kids but they had all shown their support.
The next clinic will be held in the July School Holidays.
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