With statistics showing an increased drop in children’s participation in sport from the age of 12, Churchill Soccer Club vice president, Peter Ceeney realised it was going to take something special to keep kids engaged.
“As a soccer coach I hated seeing children leave our sport because it meant we couldn’t fill teams.”
Withdrawals force children and their families to leave the sport or travel to neighbouring towns to continue.
Working in conjunction with Churchill baseball, bowls, tennis, hockey, cricket, junior football and Lions clubs; Churchill indoor junior basketball and netball associations, Churchill Scouts, Churchill and Monash Golf Club, Churchill Walk Jog Run, Federation University, GippSport and Latrobe Community Health, Peter developed an innovative way for children, and volunteers, to sample what the town had to offer.
He applied for, and was granted, a $2000 Latrobe City Council community grant for a coaches and volunteers presentation session which was used to hold the inaugural Active Kids Expo at Gaskin Park last year.
Like many parents, Peter encouraged his son, Wyatt, to play the sports he enjoyed growing up (soccer and cricket) although his son soon lost interest.
“He joined Army Cadets as a 13 year old and loved it. It was one of the things that made me realise how different were all are and how, once we find that thing or things we love, we’ll stick at it.”
Another Active Kids Expo is set for March.
Following the success of last year’s program, the 2018/19 Latrobe City Council community grants have been raised to amounts up to $5000.