THE Queanbeyan Public School fielded over 100 of its students in netball clinics last Thursday afternoon as the Active After School Communities initiative returned to the school for 2014.
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Since 2006 the Australian Sports Commission has operated publicly funded sport and recreation programs across Australian primary schools through its Active After School Communities initiative.
And this was the first time netball had been brought to Queanbeyan Public school, with the AASC linking with the Queanbeyan Netball Association in putting the kids through their paces in netball movement and passing.
Coaching staff and players from the ACT State League netball team were also on hand to assist with the day's activities.
Regional Coordinator for the AASC Kristy Giteau said the purpose of the program was to keep kids active and healthy during after school hours and to boost local sport club player numbers.
Giteau, sister of Wallabies legend Matt and rugby player with the Queanbeyan Whites, added the free programming would also battle youth obesity and schools in their own physical education.
"We're really about trying to create ties with the community, so we've got clubs from the Queanbeyan Netball Association trying to be role models for these kids to get them active after school," she said.
Queanbeyan Public was the first Queanbeyan-based school to see th program for this year, but it will also go to Queanbean South, Queanbeyan West, Jerrabomberra, Sutton and Gundaroo.
Throughtout the year these schools will partake in netball, tae kwon do, fencing and football codes with one afternoon per term given to each sport.
Queanbeyan's first lady and local author Nichole Overall, wife to Mayor Tim, said having schools hold sports clinic programs after school school was good for parents as they would not need to worry about taking their kids elsewhere for physical activity.
"To see these sorts of programs being run through the schools makes it easier for the parents, and it would be terrific to see it more broadly," she said.
Mrs Overall attended the Queanbean Public School event on behalf of the Mayor, and said the AASC was fully supported by her husband.
Students taking part in AASC programs recieve half price club memberships for the respective sports.
