Role models join kids in carnival

Hedland’s youngest up-and-coming hockey stars recently had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Hedland Hockey Carnival.

About 50 students from five schools across Hedland joined a number of elite Olympians and members of the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, including Joel Carroll, Josh Beltz, Kiran Arunasalm, Flynn Ogilvie and Shanea Tonkin at the interschool carnival.

For the first time, the Pilbara Community Hockey Program, a partnership between Hockey Australia and Fortescue Metals Group, has been extended to Port Hedland.

Hockey Australia chief executive Matt Favier said the partnership allowed national players to build stronger links with indigenous communities in the Pilbara.

“PCHP is not just about teaching and developing hockey skills to students but also health and positive social messages, for the benefit of the wider Hedland community,” Mr Favier said.

Students from Hedland Senior High School took on umpiring roles as part of their Certificate II course in Sport and Recreation.

Fortescue chief executive Nev Power said Hockey Australia helped to improve social and educational outcomes for children living in the Pilbara.

As part of the visit, players also travelled to the remote community of Yandeyarra where they held a hockey clinic with students from Yandeyarra Remote Community School.

School principal Graham Boyd said the session provided students with the opportunity to learn new skills and promote positive behaviour.

“Our students enjoyed the activities and interacted well with the Kookaburra players who also enjoyed the opportunity to experience the ‘outback’ setting of a remote community school,” he said. “They are great roles models for our students and demonstrated the benefits of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and attending school.”