THEY are told high school is hard work but local primary students received another important message last week – they can also get fit and have fun.
A crowd of year 5 and 6 students from across the local region descended on Park Ridge State High School on Friday, to attend its AFL Academy’s Come and Try Day.
The students, who hailed from Flagstone, Greenbank, Yugumbir, Park Ridge, Algester and Jimboomba State Schools spent Friday at the academy, learning about the program on offer should they choose to complete their senior schooling at Park Ridge.
The academy’s senior students led attendees in a series of outdoor drills on the morning while workshops on fitness, team dynamics and leadership were held indoors in the afternoon.
The highlight of the day was a visit from the Gold Coast Suns, with halfback Trent McKenzie and defensive player Jack Leslie posing for pictures with students.
For Greenbank State School student Patrick Greene, the Suns visit was a dream come true.
“I just like them,” he said.
“I was into rugby when I was younger but then my brother started playing AFL and that’s when I started.
“I want to come here for high school.”
AFL Academy director Derek Berry said Friday’s event was outstanding.
“We’ve been really happy with the turn out, we got more than we expected and it’s wonderful to see,” he said.
“We are even getting students committing to our program from private schools now, which obviously means we are offering a quality program.”
Mr Berry said the academy’s senior AFL players were the stars of the day.
“Our senior AFL leaders were fantastic, they ran (the primary students) through different modified games and drills, based on giving them a feel for what it’s like training with the academy,” he said.
“All the teachers were told to have a back seat, the senior academy students took the reigns and did really well.”
He said it was also fantastic to have the support of the Gold Coast Suns.
“They heavily support our program and are really keen to see more students coming to the school, so any chance they can they make the effort to get here,” he said.
“They want to see kids pick up footy.”
Mr Berry said 18 students had already applied to join the school’s AFL Academy next year, when starting year 7.
“We are expecting more after today, but enrollments close at the start of November,” he said.
For more information on the AFL Academy phone Park Ridge State High School on 3380 4111.