Intro
Photo: Olympian Kylie Wheeler with students from Christmas Island District High School.
In the past year alone, we’ve worked with some of WA’s top state sporting associations to deliver coaching clinics, school visits, training sessions and community events to people living within the communities of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
DLGSC Great Southern Regional Manager Mel Eastough said the visits were important to help build sport and recreation skills for residents of all ages and abilities, allow interested adults to complete community coaching accreditation, and foster a sense of community spirit.
“We had Olympian Kylie Wheeler, a coach engaged through Athletics West, visit students at Christmas Island District High School to take part in a before-school wellness activity of dodgeball followed by breakfast,” Mel said.
“Kylie also helped run a ‘Seniors Stay on Your Feet’ session which saw adults up to 88 years of age participate in a modified athletics session in the Senior Citizens Community Hall, including a pool noodle ‘javelin’ throwing competition!
“We’ve got lots more visits planned for the year ahead — in June, Olympians Nick Malouf (rugby) and Elise Kellond-Knight (soccer) will visit the islands through the Australian Olympics Committee and later in the year we hope to send coaches from skateboarding, badminton and gymnastics.”
Thanks to NRL WA, Athletics West, Cricket WA, Basketball WA and Football West for being such great sports and supporting this program over the past year.
The services coordinated by DLGSC in the Indian Ocean Territories are funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
If you’d like to find out more, please email iot@dlgsc.wa.gov.au