By Matthew Sims
A group of Laverton P-12 College students have been brushing up on their basketball skills with help from some of Melbourne’s best players.
Delivered thanks to a grant through the state government’s Active Schools program, 20 Year 8 to 11 students has been taking part in the LifeChanger program in conjunction with Melbourne United.
The program has involved participants fine-tuning their basketball skills with Melbourne United trainers, taking part in enrichment programs and running clinics for the primary school students.
Melbourne United CEO Nick Truelson said the partnership has aimed to “inspire and enrich the next generation across all ages”.
“This program provides a great opportunity for children to learn not only about the sporting aspects of basketball, but about how to make the right decisions, how to be a leader, and how to best look after themselves physically and mentally,” he said.
“We all know how important leadership is, so to be able to see students reach the end of this program and pass on what they’ve learnt to younger year levels is very special.”
Participant Cedric said he was looking forward to continuing to develop his skills next term.
“This program has helped me work on my communication skills, my basketball skills and teamwork efforts,” he said.
Laverton P-12 College acting principal Daniel Vella said the program had been beneficial to the school community as a whole.
“The opportunity for our students to participate in this program is a successful response to student voices about what they want school to be like,” he said.
Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said the program allowed students across the state to discover a sport they could love.
“Regular physical activity makes a huge difference to young people’s mental and physical health as well as their educational outcomes,” she said.
“I want to congratulate all the successful schools for their work to keep young Victorians active, fit and healthy.”
