Eagles visit inspires students
Hedland Senior High School students had the opportunity to meet their sporting idols and get tips on how to excel in football and life last week.
The V Swans Kicking Goals students spent last Tuesday learning and training with West Coast Eagles players Brendon Ah Chee and Jack Darling in the first AFL visit of 2018.
From warm-up activities to get the blood flowing to a modified game of British bulldog to hone their handball skills, the students thrived on the professional development workshops.
Ah Chee, who joined the Eagles this year, said the opportunity to be part of the V Swans program brought back memories of his own high school days.
“I remember having Darren Glass coming to school and remember how excited I was and it made a big impact on me so I’m stoked to be a part of it now,” he said.
“Advice I’d have for any of the students would be with everything you do, just give it 100 per cent and just have a crack.”
Active education development manager Steven Thompson said all the students enjoyed the workshops and training sessions.
“Days like these bring blokes from TV to life and the students can see the real thing, see the size and power of the players and have the opportunity to talk to the players and ask them their burning questions,” he said. “It made many realise the guys were just like them — they started in school, put the effort in and made their way to professional football.”
It’s a real inspiration for them and it was very impressive to see how respectful, polite and well they represented the school body.”
Year 9 student Jaxon Alec Aubrey said the experience was awe-inspiring.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to kick some balls with the boys,” he said.
After the school visit, the two star players made their way to Kennards Hire to meet Hedland residents, take photos and chat about what it’s like to be a professional AFL player.
The Eagles will return to Hedland Senior High School in their next visit on Wednesday, April 11.
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