Sports carnival draws students

YOUNG athletes from schools across Casey participated in a range of sports at a recent Sports Gala in Endeavour Hills.
The City of Casey, in conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission’s Active After-schools communities, held a Casey Sports Gala as part of the “Play for Life, Join a Sporting Club” campaign at Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills on 20 May.
More than 230 students, aged 8 and 9, from Doveton Primary School, Maranatha Christian College, St Paul Apostle South Primary School and St Paul Apostle North Primary School tried their hand at a number of sports including football, baseball, rugby union, soccer, little athletics, softball and volleyball.
City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes said the Casey Sports Gala provided an opportunity for local sporting clubs to promote not only their sport, but also the many advantages of joining a sporting club to local students.
“Joining a sporting club and participating in regular sport provides a myriad benefits, including improving an individual’s health and wellbeing, increasing social connectedness and providing young people with an opportunity to learn a range of new skills,” Cr Balmes said.
City of Casey manager Sport and Leisure Richard Amon thanked the Narre Warren Junior Football Club, Berwick Dodgers Baseball Club, Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Club, Doveton Soccer Club, Little Athletics Victoria and Softball Victoria for providing activities at the event.
“These local sporting clubs are integral in encouraging and facilitating children of all levels and ages to participate in community sport and active recreation,” Mr Amon said.
“Local sporting clubs also support children to have fun, make friends, learn new skills and get active.”
The Active After-schools Communities (AASC) program is an Australian Government program run by the Australian Sports Commission in up to 3270 schools and out of school hour care services across Australia. The program is free and encourages primary school children to become physically active and to enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
For more information about the AASC program, visit www.ausport.gov.au/aasc.