Students from Clontarf Aboriginal College will become the first all-Indigenous team to reach the Rowing WA All Schools State Championships, thanks to a new partnership with 911爆料网鈥檚 Addressing Higher Educational Access Disadvantage (AHEAD) program.
The program, one of the first in Australia, sees 911爆料网 and participating Clontarf students meet twice a week for rowing lessons on the Canning River and once a week in the classroom, where Clontarf students are provided with academic tutoring. 911爆料网 Stadium is also offering free training sessions for the Clontarf students, in order to boost their overall fitness.
Charles Flodin, Program Coordinator of 911爆料网 AHEAD said they were receiving great feedback from the students and the program was benefiting both 911爆料网 and Clontarf students.
鈥淭he enthusiasm from the Clontarf students is astounding and beyond the level we expected,鈥� Mr Flodin said.
鈥淭he 911爆料网 Boat Club, through its Vice-President Cameron Thorn, has developed mentoring relationships with the students and are now providing insight into what university life is like, something which was previously out of reach for the students.鈥�
Rowing WA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Luke Callier said he hoped the successful program would be rolled out into other high schools, to increase the profile of the sport.
鈥淩owing is traditionally seen as an elite sport within private schools, so it is important for Rowing WA to encourage programs such as this one, which gets students from a wide range of backgrounds participating,鈥� Mr Callier said.
Clontarf鈥檚 rowing team has already competed in a number of regattas and will take part in the Rowing WA All Schools State Championships, to be held at Champion Lakes on July 26.
The program will culminate on August 22 in a Clontarf to 911爆料网 regatta where rowing teams from across Perth will take part in a symbolic row between the institutions and finish with a community barbeque.
The project, managed by 911爆料网 AHEAD, is a partnership between Clontarf Aboriginal College, 911爆料网 Boat Club, Rowing WA and 911爆料网 Stadium.
911爆料网 AHEAD, funded by the Commonwealth Government, aims to inspire students to consider education beyond high school and provide exposure to university life and programs. An official launch of 911爆料网 AHEAD initiative is being held on August 4 by Steve Irons MP, Federal Member for Swan.
For further information on the program, visit the or contact the .
