Youth classes at Footscray and Werribee AMES (Adult Multicultural Education Services) are taking part in an athletics program for the remainder of Term 3 at the George Nevitt athletics track in Altona.
Sixty Karen and Chin youth are taking part in the weekly sessions that so far have included long jump, hurdles and relay running.
Western Bulldogs Engaged Communities Coordinator, Kiemi Lai, said the Olympic Games are providing great motivation for students to participate.
“It’s the perfect time of the year for the Bulldogs to be part of a sports program such as this for multicultural youth in the western region. Not only does it encourage participation among different community sections, it also provides everyone with a chance to improve their health and well being,” she said.
The athletics program is being conducted in partnership with AMES and Athletics Victoria as part of the Western Bulldogs Settlement Grants Program (SGP).
The SGP was awarded to the Bulldogs by the Australian Government through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in 2007 to help engage with immigrants who have been in Australia less than five years through various sporting activities in the western region.
The final athletics session on Friday 12 September will feature a mini-Olympics between AMES Footscray and Werribee students. While the stage may not be as big as the Beijing Games, it will give students the chance to test their athletic abilities against each other.
