A new initiative is coming to Gunnedah in an effort to get more local youngsters playing club sport.
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The Greater Rugby Communities program is available for children aged three to nine, and will run from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at the Gunnedah Rugby Club each Friday from November 11 to December 2.
The program will be held through the Gunnedah Junior Rugby Club, and is open to boys and girls from inside and outside the club.
The program was created by acclaimed sports coach Todd Louden along with Adrian Delore from not-for-profit program GRRA8.
Louden and Delore developed the program as part of a personal mission to tackle the decline in sports club participation and the increasing lack of movement from youngsters.
Louden was also the architect of the Sydney University Elite Development Squad, which is considered Australia’s largest rugby nursery.
The impending four-week program in Gunnedah is part of a series to be run in regional NSW with the support of Greater Bank.
Louden said the program uses fun, old-style schoolyard games (such as ‘Bugs and Spiders’) and multiple ball types to firstly encourage enjoyment of and skills in movement in both girls and boys.
Game basics such as catching, passing, running, kicking and tracking are also taught.
Topics include youth health and wellbeing, mentoring and leadership as well as financial planning and management to help boost club sustainability.
“The program supports all sports with a focus on regional and country centres,” Louden said.
“My experience with coaching kids and coaching at the top level is that as people increasingly spend time on devices we are seeing an increase in incomplete basic movement skills.”
Proceeds from the program go back to the host club.
Participants receive a pack that includes a ball, towel, water bottle, sunscreen and a $5 savings account voucher from Greater Bank.
Greater Bank Gunnedah branch manager Jacqui Bull said her team was getting behind the program because sport improves health, teaches skills and brings communities together.
Ms Bull will also run a session for parents with tips on better managing money and helping kids to save.
“As a customer-owned bank, Greater Bank’s focus is on a greater way of banking for customers and support for the local community,” Ms Bull said.
Registrations for the program can be made through http://grra8.com.au/
Cost is $30 for Gunnedah Rugby Club members and $60 for non-members (for four weeks).