Don’t Mess With Drugs Foundation conducts pilot program in the ‘Shire’
Don’t Mess with Drugs Foundation was in the “Shire”, home to over 20, 000 registered players last week conducting its program with under 16 representative players from both Sutherland Football Association and Sutherland Sharks NPL NSW club.
The players from both squads have only just been chosen following recent trials.
A requirement once selected for players from both the Association and the NPL NSW club was to complete the DMWD program.
Lessons 1 and 2 were conducted last week by the highly talented sports education teacher, Chloe Kerr currently employed by the BCA National Education Group.
At the conclusion, the 16 players from Sutherland Football Association and the 16 players from Sutherland Sharks NPL NSW Clubs will each receive a Certificate acknowledging their completion of the program.
The Don’t Mess with Drugs Foundation Education Program has attracted considerable media interest from the start.
The major pilot one program at Blacktown Football Association was covered live on Fox Sports.
A story on the Sutherland Football Association and NPL NSW Club doing the pilot has appeared in this week’s edition of the Sutherland Shire Leader Newspaper.
Also present at the pilot were some parents of the players and coaches of the representative teams. Their feedback was most positive.
Sutherland Football Association General Manager, Jon Long thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.
“The players were engaged from the start, keeping 16 year olds interested for a long period is not easy, but, they really took on board the information provided.
“The presenter did an exceptional job at maintaining and sustaining their interest. They really benefited from the presentation, I am certain.
‘I thought it was just brilliant, straight to the point with enough of the shock factor to have the right impact.”
Clearly, as more pilot programs are completed, the product is continuing to be streamlined and is becoming more effective.
Brent Plimpton the Community Services Manager for the Don’t Mess with Drugs Foundation thought this was the best presentation so far.
“I think the extra interaction component, and the video’s which were very graphic in parts, had the desired effect. The athletes were engaged throughout and responded really well when asked questions which at times were awkward for them.”
The proactive approach of the DMWD education program was well received by the parents who were on hand. They believe conversations with their sons will be easier after having watched the presentation.
-Don’t Mess With Drugs Foundation Media Release
