West Coast Eagles defender Beau Waters took time out from his rehabilitation schedule to visit the kids at Port Hedland Senior High School last week as part of the Kicking Goals program, which runs in partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Swan Districts Football Club.

Former West Coast champion Peter Matera joined Beau Waters in one of the hottest Western Australian towns, where they emphasised the importance of education and being an active member of the community.

The much anticipated football clinics, conducted by Matera and Waters, saw the kids develop their kicking under pressure, reading play, positioning and ball handling skills. Other areas covered included team work and preparing for a match. Later in the day, students were given advice about dealing with the everyday challenges in school.

As part of their commitment to Kicking Goals, students are encouraged to engage in their local community. With the skills they learnt from Waters and Matera, they were able to coach primary school students at the local Auskick centre.

Although the development of football skills is important, Waters hopes to send a message to the children that attendance and participation in school is paramount.

“It’s crucial children stay in school if they want to succeed in life and even footballers like me need to have an education to fall back on,” said Waters.

Since the introduction of Kicking Goals in 2005, the program has seen an increase of school attendance among Indigenous students. Recent results show school attendance has risen from 74 per cent in 2007 to 87 per cent in 2008.

The program also offers an incentive trip for three students, should they show significant increase in school participation, literacy, numeracy and attendance.