The West Coast Eagles recently ventured to Broome and the Dampier Peninsula to deliver the club’s education and community programs.
Schools & Community Coordinator James Grabski and Schools & Community Officer Zac Fitzgerald were supported by ever-popular Eagles mascot Rick the Rock in delivering the Eagles Rock My School (primary) and Eagle Insight (secondary) programs.
As part of the Eagles Rock My School program, Rick the Rock ensured students at each and every Broome primary school were familiar with the topic of wellbeing and provided with advice on how to care for themselves from a physical, emotional and social standpoint.
At Broome Senior High School, Grabski and Fitzgerald facilitated an injury management and prevention workshop for Certificate II Sport & Recreation students. After being introduced to key theoretical principles, the students were put through a series of practical exercises to apply their newfound knowledge.
Broome Senior High School Physical Education teacher Sam Alexeeff praised the club’s commitment to supporting Western Australian educational outcomes.
“The students are currently completing a Unit of Competency called Implement Sports Injury Prevention and to learn more about injury prevention at the elite level of AFL was a great opportunity,” Alexeef said.
There was no rest over the weekend, as Rick the Rock spent Saturday morning supporting one of the state’s most popular regional Auskick programs at Broome Recreational & Aquatic Centre.
The chant of “Rick-the-Rock!” was obviously effective at the school visits in the preceding days, and reinforced Rick’s (self-proclaimed) popularity as it was heard echoing across the grounds.
Rick was kept busy joining in drills, kicking a lot of behinds and posing for photos as part of the Auskick 2.0 session.
Early the following week, after the three-hour drive north from Broome, the team was privileged to join One Arm Point Remote Community School in celebrating NAIDOC Week with the Ardyaloon community on the Dampier Peninsula.
The formalities commenced with a Welcome to Country and included a traditional dance involving elders and students, the Bardi Dancers.
Rick the Rock later surprised students, teachers and community members alike when he bounded onto the stage with the 2018 Premiership Cup.
With significant family names like Hill (Josh) and Sampi (Ashley), support for the West Coast Eagles is strong in the Ardyaloon community, and all were eager for the opportunity to have a photo with the cup.
Grabski and Fitzgerald continued to be involved in the morning’s activities, hosting a series of AFL skills workshops as part of the rotations, which also included elders story-telling and talks facilitated by local rangers.
The following day, the group visited Christ the King School in Lombadina / Djarindjin and Sacred Heart in Beagle Bay to deliver the Eagles Rock My School program and engage with some very enthusiastic supporters.
