Australia: Budding hockey players encouarged to Take It On!
 |
| Hockeyroo Angie Skirving, Federal Member for Ryan, Michael Johnson, and students from Fraser Primary School at the Take It On! launch in Canberra |
February 11, 2003
Hockey Australia
> Page Views 1630
Take It On!, Hockey Australia?s national development program, was launched by Federal Member of Parliament, Michael Johnson, at the Hockey Centre in Canberra this morning.
The program has been developed in partnership with the Australia Sports Commission as part of its Targeted Participation Growth Program which aims to increase the number of people participating in sport and boost the active membership of sporting clubs.
?I thank the Australian Sports Commission for the commitment that has been made to a lot of sports, but in particular to hockey,? Hockey Australia president Pamela Tye said.
?While Hockey Australia has had junior sports programs in the past, this ASC initiative has allowed us to recreate and restructure the programs so that we can take the next steps. We could not have done this without the assistance of the Australian Sports Commission.?
Australian squad members Angie Skirving and Liam De Young will act as Take It On! Ambassadors and will make guest appearances at registered centres (clubs) with fellow national and state representatives.
?Take It On! gets everyone involved and gives everyone an opportunity, not only from a hockey point of view, but from a life experience and leadership perspective,? De Young said.
?Participants will be able to take a lot more from the program than just hockey.?
Due to the diversity of hockey communities in Australia, Take It On! can be adapted for local needs and situations through its Junior or Community Programs. Its flexibility makes it perfect for after-school care, weekend or holiday programs or as a social community activity for secondary school teams and adults.
Take It On! will also introduce hockey as a new sport to indigenous and remote communities in partnership with their state associations. It provides the framework to set up hockey activities and competitions, and develop local expertise in areas where sports participation opportunities are limited.
The Take It On! program is divided in to eight sessions of progressive activities culminating in a mini-carnival.
Each state?s Take It On! community officer will work closely with each centre to provide training, support and advice. To encourage teenagers to become involved and remain part of their club?s volunteer administration, the Hockey Leader Program will improve leadership skills in coaching, umpiring and management in a positive social environment.
Take It On! will allow clubs to attract new members, develop links with schools and the broader community, and develop more volunteers at the same time.
Hockey Australia welcomes Just Hockey as the ?Official Retail Equipment Supplier? for Take It On! Just Hockey will supply individual and centre equipment packs at significantly reduced prices, passing savings directly on to the hockey community and enabling new players to start playing hockey with their own equipment.
Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.
|
