News

Essendon continues to support youth

Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Over 100 secondary school students converged at Windy Hill today to participate in the final phase of the On the Ball program for 2011.

Versatile Bombers defender Kyle Hardingham, Dr June Kane of the Bill Hutchison Foundation, Manager of Strathmore Bendigo Bank Phil Stewart, Micaela Wilson from Melbourne Vixens, Jacob Hardiman and Hannah Macdougall from Australia Paralympic Committee, judged the school based projects of competing schools.

Schools involved included Catholic Regional College, The Grange, Gisborne Secondary College, Essendon Keilor College (Niddrie and East Keilor) and Caroline Springs Secondary College.

On The Ball is a role model based program that aims to promote harm prevention by providing young people (13-14 year olds) and their critical support networks with tools and direction to make appropriate life decisions and understand risk taking behaviours.

Leading adolescent psychologist Associate Professor Michael Carr-Gregg placed a high importance on the need for children to participate in sport to maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

“For a whole host of reasons, participation in sport provides significant benefits for the mental health of our adolescent community. We can now add to the list of benefits, its potential life-saving role in the prevention of obesity and substance abuse.”

The schools were competing for cash prizes worth up to $1000.

The On The Ball program is a three-phase initiative, designed for ongoing interaction between the students and program facilitators. The phases involves a school visit by the program facilitators, a school based project and a visit by selected students to Windy Hill.

The initiative is delivered by the Bill Hutchison Foundation, with the support of the APC and Melbourne Vixens. Essendon wishes to thank Strathmore Bendigo Bank for their continued support of the On The Ball program.

Click here to learn more about Essendon’s Youth and Education programs.

One Team. One Dream - Stand As One. Click here to purchase your 2012 membership today.

Your comments

Add your own comment now!

Username:
Password:
I've forgotten my details, please email them to me.

Your comment (must be 100 words or less):

Great to see the club involved with intiatives that promote sport among our youth. The quicker we get them off those computer games and outdoors the better it will be for them and their health.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 8/11/2011 7:33:53 PM)

Terrific that the club is working closely with schools. It is my ongoing battle to get schools to develop AFL football so that kids can develop their interest and join local clubs. Without this we cannot compete against the Rugby codes, soccer and basketball. Essendon, too, is helping build these bridges for kids to cross.

- Wesley Hull (posted 8/11/2011 9:25:54 PM)

What a fantastic program. Young people need this type of guidance & support. To give them the opportunity to create something positive in their lives, to make constructive decisions. Again well done EFC & your community conscience. Proud of our club.

- Gail Taylor (posted 9/11/2011 10:15:54 AM)

An outstanding programme. Another plus for the EFC.

- Victor Tallis (posted 10/11/2011 2:57:40 PM)