Perth Glory players will make appearances at Port Hedland local football clubs and primary schools this weekend and early next week as part of the club’s ‘Glory in the Pilbara’ programme in partnership with club sponsor BHP Billiton Iron Ore.
Perth Glory players will make appearances at Port Hedland local football clubs and primary schools this weekend and early next week as part of the club-s ‘Glory in the Pilbara- programme in partnership with club sponsor BHP Billiton Iron Ore.
Port Hedland-s budding young footballers will be taught skills by star Glory players Adriano Pellegrino, Jamie Coyne and Jimmy Downey on Sunday 3rd May before the boys visit local schools on Monday 4th May.
The Pilbara visits continue the following weekend, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May, with players and club officials arriving in Newman for more community interaction.
Perth Glory is entering the second year of a partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore which enables the club and Pilbara residents to benefit from community engagement programmes throughout the region.
Football is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and is the most popular amongst boys and the second most popular with girls. There are more that 300 registered players in Newman, and 200 in Port Hedland.
“It is a real honour to be part of the ‘Glory in the Pilbara- programme and to be able to make a difference in the community and I look forward to coming up each time,” Pellegrino said.
Last season-s ‘Most Glorious Player- is an active and dedicated community participant and since moving to WA last year from South Australia Pellegrino has enjoyed exploring the length and breadth of his new home state.
“I came up last year and was amazed at the beauty of the landscape and the passionate following for football and Perth Glory. This year I-m going to try and sneak my fishing rod in as well after some of the guys in Port Hedland promised to take me out for a quick fish,” Pellegrino said with a smile.
“If the time allows I-d definitely like to get out on the water but that-s not the primary focus of this trip. It-s just great to be in the Pilbara and involved with the WA community. It-s very important to give something back and I hope everyone that we meet gets as much out of the programme as we all do.”
One of Perth Glory-s best known and longest serving players, Jamie Harnwell, will be part of the group heading to Newman the following week. Harnwell will be joined by team mates Naum Sekulovski and Wayne Srhoj for a packed two day trip on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of May.
The Perth Glory trio will make use of their time in Newman to assist in the development of local players at junior and senior level while also giving coaches expert advice to ensure the prosperity of the sport in the Pilbara.
“Being able to take football and the club into communities throughout Western Australia is something as players we are passionate about,” said Harnwell.
“We always receive such a warm welcome and it-s fantastic to be part of the continued development of football in the Pilbara,” Harnwell added.
