The Eagles Rock My School (“ERMS”) program has completed a busy October period, putting their show on the road to visit the children of regional towns across Western Australia.
Proudly supported by BHP Billiton, the values-based program, which teaches the importance of respect, community and living a healthy lifestyle, headed north to visit isolated communities in the Fortescue region before ending the month in Bindoon.
Ballidu Primary School was amongst the crowd at the Dalwallinu District High School visit, with the West Coast trip causing much excitement according to Ballidu teacher Kate McCreery.
“Ballidu is a very small school with only two classrooms and 26 full-time students, so these visits are an excellent opportunity for our kids to socialise with peers of their own age," Kate said.
“I only have 14 kids in my senior room and only have one year four student, so for him it’s a good opportunity to meet other year fours and interact with children within the district.
“The kids were definitely excited about the visit, Rick the Rock was very popular, and he certainly made a few fans that day.”
While Rick the Rock almost stole the show, Kate said the important messages about values and respect made a firm impression on the students.
“I was really impressed with the values aspect of the program, the kids were able to repeat and relate everything to our values lessons which we had done throughout the year, which I thought was brilliant,” Kate said.
ERMS program co-ordinator Kim Hannah said the enthusiastic welcome and hospitality country towns showed the West Coast Eagles spoke volumes of the strong community spirit in regional areas.
“We always receive the warmest of welcomes from every town we visit; they really connect with our message because sport makes up such a big part of the fabric of community life,” Kim said.
“It’s an integral part of the community. We find the kids in most country centres, particularly those which are more isolated, are very much into their sport and love the opportunity to interact and communicate with anyone who’s in the industry.”
Kate agreed that the importance of sport in building community spirit was not to be underestimated.
“Without sport, there wouldn’t be any community spirit in a lot of ways. It really keeps a town together,” Kate said.
“It provides a positive focus for everyone and is the biggest opportunity for people to interact within their community. It is certainly a vital component of our town.”
The commitment of the West Coast Eagles to regional sport will continue in season 2011, with the club set to strengthen ties with country Western Australia as part of the 25th year celebrations.
