The BHP Billiton, Swan Districts Football Club and West Coast Eagles’ Kicking Goals program spent a day in the sun in the remote town of Marble Bar last Wednesday, teaching the students about healthy eating, employment paths and most importantly: football.
An all-star cast, including current West Coast Eagle Luke Shuey, West Coast legend Peter Matera and former West Coast Fever netballer Tracy Pemberton, flew to Port Hedland and drove two hours to Marble Bar where they were joined by the Kickz4Kids program.
The first item on the agenda was a coaching session, led by Shuey and Matera, where the students from Nullagine Primary School joined their companions from Marble Bar Primary School to perfect their football skills.
The students were then provided a lunch by BHP Billiton with West Coast Eagles expressing the importance of eating healthily.
During this break Rod Willet from Kickz4Kids handed out football and netball equipment to the students who accepted these items with delight.
The importance of literacy was emphasised by Luke Shuey in a presentation to the kids and some of the older students were offered employment path opportunities by BHP Billiton representative Marisa Bradshaw.
Known for being the hottest town in Western Australia, the kids of Marble Bar were unfazed by the heat and put the skills they learnt that morning into practice in some match play.
The kids at Marble Bar loved every minute they were able to spend with the West Coast Eagles stars and the high level of skill demonstrated by the kids may see them in the AFL draft before long.
The Kicking Goals program, in conjunction with Kicks4Kidz, make regular trips to the Pilbara each year promoting healthy eating and lifestyle choices, as well as being a positive member of the community. This program would not be possible without the help from BHP Billiton and the Swan Districts Football Club.
