The Gold Coast SUNS have now made four trips to the remote regions of Far North Queensland as part of the Clubs No Boundaries program, as they look to inspire and encourage the regions youth to live a healthy lifestyle and stay in school.
It’s a message that obviously sticks with the kids because long after the SUNS players have returned to the Gold Coast, the Students from Bamaga continue to attend school in the hope that they will be rewarded with a week long visit to the Gold Coast.
Injured Ruck Zac Smith visited Bamaga earlier this year and was a huge hit with the regions kids who hung off his towering frame during his time in the Cape.
It was a powerful cultural experience for Zac who was keen to make sure he returned the favour as thirty kids from the Cape arrived on the Gold Coast this week.
"It’s just a follow up reward for them eating healthy and going to school, me and a couple of the other boys went up to Bamaga earlier in the year and met with the kids and taught them about healthy eating and you know how important it is to go to school." Said Smith
As a reward for them doing so well they are down on the Coast for the week and at Dreamworld, they are going to come to the game on Saturday so I think it’s really good for them to see how we live and have a bit of fun.
While a day at Dreamworld and Saturdays Blockbuster match against Carlton are the highlights of the trip for the visiting Cape kids, there is a serious side to the No Boundaries program with the students spending time with the SUNS dietician as well as making visits to Griffith Education where they are further encouraged to focus on their education and to pursue their dreams.
For Smith who hails from Rockhampton and played soccer as a junior, the No Boundaries programs Gold Coast visit is anything but an AFL recruitment campaign.
When we were in the Cape, we obviously tell the kids who we are and what we do, however encouraging them to play AFL is at the bottom of our list of priorities, you see how much energy and ability these kids have on and off the sports field and really we just want to encourage them to eat the right foods on a regular basis, concentrate on their school work and to be the best that they can be.
"These kids might play AFL, Rugby League, Cricket or take up Athletics in the future, it doesn’t matter, I would love to see one of the kids who has taken part in the program progress through to claim a place on the SUNS List or in our administration, but as long as they are healthy, fit and active I think the program is working .”
The Students were put through their paces by the AFLQ development team yesterday before attending last nights open training session under lights at Metricon Stadium where they got to watch the Gold Coast SUNS players in action prepare for Saturday nights final home game of the season.
The Gold Coast SUNS clash with Carlton at Metricon Stadium this Saturday night. Click here to purchase your match day tickets.
