ORANGE City Council migrant support officer Anni Gallagher believes an after school hockey program run as part of the Sports, Konnections, Information, Lifeskills and Leadership (SKILLS) program will teach children social cohesion and lifelong skills.
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Hockey NSW regional coaching co-ordinator Kate Pulbrook agreed and added it would teach the children basic skills while drumming home the importance of respect and teamwork.
“Hopefully this program will teach them to come together and make friends across cultures and across communities in our target area,” Ms Gallagher said.
“It will also teach the children how to play hockey, teach them basics skills, the importance of being part of a team, to have fun and be safe while playing a team sport,” Mrs Pulbrook added.
“I initiated the hockey program to build a relationship with the Bowen community and its connection with the hockey centre due to the antisocial behaviour and vandalism that occurs at the centre on a daily basis,” she said.
“Respect is a big focus for me, I want the kids to build respect not only for the sport but for me and my link with the hockey centre.”
Children aged between eight-18 can participate in the after-school program that will resume on July 15, and run every Tuesday during term three.
There will also be a further six training sessions between 4-5pm at Margaret Stevenson Oval in Bowen for the next three terms, ending in March 2015.
For more information about the program, contact Orange City Council on 6393 8000.
