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The Geelong Cats has an extensive program to assist local schools. The objective of the schools program is to involve students in the club and the players in the community. The club aims to educate and inform students on many important issues including fitness, health, diet, teamwork and leadership. Through talks with players, tours and clinics, the club aspires to motivate children to be involved in sport or group activities. A range of activities are generated by the Geelong Cats in Schools program to give all primary and secondary schools a chance to be part of our club.
Alcoa Cats in Schools Program
The Alcoa Cats in Schools program involves Geelong Cats players visiting approximately 90 schools each year in the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Colac regions. The players conduct clinics or speak to the students about life as an AFL footballer, nutrition, exercise, leadership and team work (or other appropriate topics as advised by the schools curriculum). The program is coordinated in conjunction with AFL Victoria
Our club has donated over 16,000 entry tickets to Geelong Cats matches to these schools. The tickets are used at the discretion of the schools. The majority of schools use the membership cards to reward students for their achievements on a week-by-week basis whereas some schools use them as a learning tool in their sport and recreation classes. Finally, 30 schools also receive a 2009 team signed Guernsey for fundraising purposes.
Alcoa School Cats Workbook
The Alcoa School Cats Workbook, now in its third year of publication, is becoming a staple in the local classroom.
The workbook has been endorsed by the Barwon South West Region of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and has been compiled by five qualified primary school teachers. This year, Kids – Go for your life and KIDS Foundation also contributed to the workbook.
2,500 workbooks have been distributed to primary school teachers throughout the region. Students are also encouraged to enter a range of competitions, including a rare chance to design the banner for the Geelong Cats game in Round 19.
The accompanying CD features School Cats 1 and 2 and also has new additional activities which did not fit into the workbook.
Any comments/feedback/suggestions would be welcome. Please email community@geelongcats.com.au with Alcoa School Cats in the subject line.
Costa's Care for Kids
Costa’s Care for Kids focuses on the key concepts of team work, leadership and nutrition.
Proudly sponsored by Costa’s since 2002, the program sees the students, upon entering Skilled Stadium, assuming the role of the player as their Geelong Cats heroes become their coaches.
The program is designed for grade five and six students. The students are guided through a pre-match warm up, a discussion around the program’s key concepts and conclude with a game on the main oval. They leave Skilled Stadium with a gift and piece of fruit compliments of Costa’s.
Approximately 600 students from 12 schools participate in Costa’s Care for Kids each year.
Shell Cats Heroes Series
The annual Shell Cats Heroes Series took place in May at Skilled Stadium with 180 primary school students from 15 schools in the northern suburbs of Geelong.
The program centres on the following key concepts and activities:
- Promoting health and well being
- Positive messages from their heroes
- Education is fun
- You can do it
- Players were kids to
Leadership Breakfast
Now in its second year, the Leadership Breakfast is a collaborative effort between the Geelong Cats, Deakin University and Gordon Institute of TAFE. The breakfast, specifically for year 11 and 12 students, seeks to give participants an opportunity to discuss their future options with staff from each of the organisations.
Also in attendance were ten Geelong Cats players who were specifically selected for their interest in education. Paul Chapman, Mark Blake and Simon Hogan participated in a panel discussion focusing on the importance of education and how they specifically balance their football and schooling commitments.
This is the only program the Geelong Cats currently run for this senior school age group. We feel it is important that they are incorporated into our overall community relations plan.
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