Martial Arts Encourages Primary Children to Get Active
Martial arts are branching out to Wollongong’s schools and encouraging physical activity as Woonona primary students take up Taekwondo.
The kids are learning the sport under the federal government’s Active After-School Communities (AASC) program which is now an established part of twenty three schools in the Wollongong area.
Lisa Hogan, a blue belt and aerobics instructor, has been running the classes at Woonona public school once a week since the start of term and says that the program is a great way to get kids involved in a sport they would not usually be exposed to.
“Taekwondo might not be an activity that they would have normally tried … the AASC program provides them with a set of skills to encourage the children to continue to be active outside of school.”
The program runs throughout the school term, allowing time for coach and student to create a relationship and develop a specific set of skills.
The Wollongong regional co-ordinator for AASC, Andrew Phelan, says that the kids love learning the basics of martial arts and having it in the AASC curriculum is a fantastic privilege.
“Lisa and Rory [Lisa’s partner] do a great job in teaching an alternative martial arts class that’s fun and engaging for the kids.”
Woonona public school is currently the only school offering Taekwondo classes.
The AASC program provides a variety of sports and the schools have complete control over which sports they offer.
“We take coaches from the specific sport and train them up with the skills they need to deal with children of that age and then send them out on the school’s request,” says Andrew Phelan.
To get your school involved, contact Andrew Phelan or the Australian Sports Commission.
by Keiran Deck
