Students at St Jerome’s Catholic Primary School kicking GOALS enjoy MiniRoos success

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It was smiles all round at St Jerome’s Catholic Primary School as students participated in the MiniRoos After School Kick-Off Program that did its part in promoting student wellbeing, an active lifestyle and football in 2020.

Along with the program, the school received MiniRoos equipment which included goals, balls, bibs and cones that were donated by local association Canterbury District Soccer FA, Football NSW and Football Australia.

Each student involved received their MiniRoos packs which they were able to take home, this included a bag, ball, activity booklet and sticker sheet in a bid to keep their practice levels up at home.

It was a job well done thanks to the hard work and efforts of Sydney Catholic Schools Counsellor Marcela Vergara who played a pivotal role in kick starting this project during Term 2 of the school year.

The aim was to provide more opportunities for communities to be active as well as reducing barriers to participation by making football programs more accessible by delivering them on school grounds.

This was a pilot program targeting families whom ordinarily would not have accessed sport after school hours.

St Jerome’s Catholic Primary School Principal Carolynne Cavannagh echoed her positive sentiments to this program.

“The success of this program is a true reflection of the community at St Jerome’s, where parents trust and work in partnership with us.”

While Marcela Vergara, School Counsellor also admitted that this program really did boost the students morale this year.

“The program has been a great initiative to promote student wellbeing and building social capital within the students and school community.

“In a year that has had many challenges the MiniRoos program has bought greater connection amongst students, parents and the school.

“Through their active participation we are building stronger and more resilient children who are learning to work together as part of a team.”

The successful NSW Active Kids Voucher thanks to the State Government was also used to significantly reduce the cost of participation.

Football NSW’s Junior Participation Coordinator Kevin Guardado Amaya was delighted with how the program ran its course in a bid to further engage students with the world game.

“From all reports this pilot program was certainly seen as a massive success.

“The program looked like it was set to be hold when the COVID-19 pandemic rose its ugly head earlier in the year, but strong communication continued from all parties which ensured the kids at St Jerome’s Catholic Primary School would not miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

“Term four especially proved to be the biggest hit at the school as the pilot program saw more than 50 students register and participate in the program across two days (Tuesday and Thursday) for eight weeks of the term.

“It was even more satisfying to have learned that many of these participants were not registered footballers and did not engage in outside sport apart from school sport. The key point here was that getting these kids active in an organized environment with qualified coaches was truly labeled a great success and victory for the sport.”

Andrew Morris, Technical and Game Development Manager of the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association was pleased with how the program unfolded.

“We appreciated the opportunity to assist local schools in promoting Football in our area and encourage their students to enjoy the game.”

St Jerome’s looks forward to continuing our partnership with Football NSW and CDSFA in 2021.

For more information on how to get your school involved with MiniRoos Football visit https://footballnsw.com.au/after-school-kick-off/ or contact the Football NSW Junior Participation Coordinator at kevina@footballnsw.com.au