Western Australian children across the state will benefit and learn about the wonders of the beautiful game on a daily basis thanks to the tireless efforts of Perth Glory’s burgeoning Community Department.
Staff and players will visit metropolitan and regional WA Primary Schools virtually every day over the next two months (March and April) promoting the club’s “Let’s Play” and “Sporting Schools” Community programs.
Coverage will encompass schools far and wide on all points of the compass including Sorrento, Canning, Rockingham and Dunsborough.
“We have been overwhelmed with the interest from Primary schools in our football programs but it’s now been further heightened with us being able to also deliver broader and meaningful educational needs beyond merely football skill development, said former Glory player Michael Garcia, who is also the club’s Schools Programs manager.
Having more sophisticated educational resources at hand and having cultivated strong relationships by working hard in the Primary School space for some time now it’s heartening to see football break into the mainstream not only from a purely sports participation perspective but also as a valuable educational and social vehicle” he said.
The “Let’s Play” schools program is Perth Glory’s physical, social and educational community program for Primary Schools conducted during or after school and is tailored to the school’s needs.
The “Sporting Schools” program is a free Australian Sports Commission funded initiative that is designed to help Primary Schools increase children’s participation in sport, and to connect children with the best coaching experience available in Western Australia.
All primary schools throughout Australia can apply for this funding and approved schools receive upwards of $1,300 to be used for the delivery of the program, during or after school hours.
Once funding is approved for a Primary School, Perth Glory can help customise program delivery so that it best fits the Primary School’s schedule and its students.
In the inaugural year of the Sporting Schools program, Perth Glory was acknowledged by Hyundai A-League CEO Damien De Bohun hailing it as a “leaders in the country”.
The unprecedented levels of popularity for the world game has also seen Perth Glory’s term two calendars have Primary School clinics taking place every day of the week.
The head of Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) National Participation, Mr Salvatore Carmusciano has provided glowing endorsement of the overall quality of Perth Glory’s Community departments programs, “We have looked closely and we can confidently say that the club (Perth Glory) is leading the way across the nation”.
An extra bow recently added to the Primary Schools education space has been the launch of “Football Fever” a Perth Glory flavoured educational resource designed by FFA in line with the Australian School Curriculum comprising units in English, Mathematics, Art, Health and Physical Education. The course can be downloaded for free by Teachers for delivery over a school term and involve input by Perth Glory coaches and players.
To find out more about Perth Glory Primary School Programs, Resources and Visitation schedule please email the Community Department, community@perthglory.com.au or visit the Community section of our website.
