Legacy Park at Cockburn ARC was filled with almost 400 happy and active children on Wednesday as Fremantle held their Freo Fundamentals Gala Day.
Fremantle players Evie Gooch, Kellie Gibson and Ange Stannett were on hand to put the kids through their paces alongside Fremantle’s Indigenous and multicultural liaison officer Michael Johnson and NGA coach Tendai Mzungu.
The clinics were run in partnership with Notre Dame, whose third-year Health and PE students helped facilitate the numerous activities for the kids.
The clinics were targeted at kids in pre-primary and year 1, with the aim of developing the skills required to one day take up team sports like football.
Gooch, who is a cross-fit coach as well as a key member of Fremantle’s defence, spoke highly of the importance of getting kids moving at a young age.
“It’s awesome to see such a huge group of kids this age getting down, out in the sun and playing footy and just getting moving really,” Gooch said.
“Today was all about moving, getting their coordination up a bit and from there, they will have the basic skills they need for sports like footy.
“At the moment, it’s just about getting them running with the ball and getting them moving out in the sun.”
Gooch said it was pleasing to see the young girls mixing it with the boys in the football drills.
“It‘s great to see so many young girls out there especially. They’re joining in as much as the guys,” Gooch said.
“There from a huge range of schools from this area and it’s good to spread that message that footy is a game that both boys and girls can play.”
