By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
WHILE not everyone is an AFL star, Noosa Tigers football club believes anyone interested should be given the chance to be part of the team, whether on or off the field. Because of this, the local club has joined forces with Sunshine Butterflies to run two special needs clinics and the great Aussie game, with many who previously would have never had the chance.
Open to all ages and abilities, the clinics will run for 10 weeks and meet every Wednesday for one hour at the Tigers ground on Weyba Road, Noosaville. This new initiative is the brainchild of the club’s Rob Purves, who was part of a similar program in Melbourne. Inspired by the success of the clinics, Rob decided it was something the Noosa club could also launch and is hoping the community will get behind it.
“We already have around 10 players willing to volunteer their time, which is an awesome response,” Rob said.
“The program is really about getting these kids outside and involved in their community.
“There really is a role for everyone in our team, not just on the field but off – whether that be keeping score or putting lids on all the water bottles.
“Everyone likes to feel part of a team, and we ask a lot from the community who are always very supportive of our club.
“This is a way that we can give something back.”
The clinics will be run similar to Auskick with adaptions made to meet the needs of each participant. While the program will build self-confidence, team skills, ball skills to help gross motor skills, improve co-ordination and fitness; it will also teach the players life skills and create mateship.
“I think it is a really great initiative as not only will it give these kids a bit of fun, but it will be beneficial for the players giving up their time to work with the kids,” Tigers’ Brent Moloney said.
“I can guarantee you that once they start coming, both will keep coming back.”
“Both the kids participating and the players they’ll be paired with will get so much out of the experience,” founder of Sunshine Butterflies Leanne Walsh agreed.
“The kids will change the lives of the players and the players will, in return, change the lives of the kids.”
IN BRIEF
Where: Noosa Tigers AFL grounds, Weyba Road, Noosaville When: Wednesday 4.30pm onwards. Clinic 1: 3 June – 24 June; Clinic 2: 15 July – 16 September
Weekly participation fee of $10. Registration forms can be downloaded by visiting www.sunshinebutterflies.com.au
For more information, contact Rob Purves at rob-purves@live.com.au or phone 04 3324 0005 or Leanne Walsh at Leanne@sunshinebutterflies.com.au or phone (07) 5470 2830 .
