By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE Richmond Football Club’s community development initiative ‘Tiger Paw’ roared into the Casey Indoor Leisure Centre in partnership with the YMCA on Wednesday 22 April for a day of fitness activities and nutrition.
Cranbourne South Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School were treated to a look inside the life of an AFL footballer and heard stories of resilience and overcoming challenges from Richmond defender, Steven Morris.
Casey Indoor Leisure Centre manager, Tony Jackson said the fantastic day was a well-rounded approach to exposing primary aged school children to life as an elite athlete.
“The students were split into two groups and got to do a lot of physical activity, running, aerobics, ball, hand eye and foot skills and were timed and tested on how high they could jump,” Mr Jackson said.
Approximately 150 school children attended the day and discussed multicultural awareness and the importance of eating healthy.
Staff from Richmond’s community development team and assistant coaching staff attended the day.
“The students listened to Steven Morris talk about his real life challenges and how he wasn’t drafted, the pressures he felt coming from a successful sporting family, his injures and how a level of resilience is necessary to overcome setbacks,” Mr Jackson said.
The speakers also touched on sport science and sport psychology.
“It was a fantastic day,” Mr Jackson said.
