The Riverton Junior Football Club is encouraging families to sign up for its six-week multicultural footy introduction program to get more children from culturally diverse backgrounds into the sport.
President Richard Brown said the club recently reviewed its cultural diversity and found it did not represent the community’s demographic.
It was awarded a grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation to conduct the program to introduce Australian Rules football to six to 18-year-olds.
“They’ll learn the basics of Australian Rules footy as well as the proper ways to prepare themselves for sport,” he said.
“There will be cultural awareness training for parents as well.
“We’re hoping it will culminate in a cuisine night where we celebrate the different cultures and their food.”
He said the game would be played with modified rules and participants would gain friendships and learn teamwork.
“It helps with community and cultural integration and provides an avenue to gain fitness and combat the increasing levels of obesity and the associated health issues,” he said.
Mr Brown said the club was building on the success of its girls program, which started in 2014.
The multicultural program starts on February 16 at Riverton Reserve from 3.30pm to 5pm.
For more information about the program and to register contact Liam Anthony at the WA Football Commission on lanthony@wafc.com.au.
