Darwin Olympic hold school holiday clinic for local youth

A Darwin football club has taken it upon themselves to help the community’s youth, teaching them the world’s game and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Darwin Olympic Sporting Club young footballers and coaches, Malak Football oval, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

With the purpose of bolstering community participation among juniors, Darwin Olympic Football Club has played host to more than 70 school students in a holiday clinic.

Out at Malak Oval, children from the area have been engaged in skill and speed exercises as well as lessons on the importance of a balanced, healthy and nutritional diet.

“We have invited First Nations kids from the surrounding schools with a group of Darwin Olympic kids and are teaching about healthy eating, providing them some soccer skills, playing games and bringing the community together,” club president Nic Halkitis said.

“This is a new thing we have just started after we received a grant from CBRE to hold a clinic during the school holidays with the intent of promoting Indigenous participation within the community.”

Back left: Rosston Joaz Cooper, John Lolias, Steven Lolias, Kobi Jennings, Karlisha Walker, from left: Joe Taiti, Raith Wright, Nivek Parriman, Bosston Joaz Cooper, Lakaea Heart and Bradley Richardson at the Darwin Olympic Sporting Club, Malak Football oval, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Halkitis said the clinic has recorded some great numbers with more than 70 children attending each day.

“The clinic has been held out at Malak for the past week where we (Olympic) have had over 70 children; 20-plus are First Nations children, from seven to 12 years old in attendance,” he said.

“We approached Woolies – a club sponsor – and they’ve provided us with the food and drinks over the week.”

The club president made it clear the clinic was not only about football, but about educating and engaging youth in the area.

“We’ve been running drills to do with skill, possession, one-on-one, speed and also about the importance of proper nutrition and hygiene,” Halkitis said.

“The whole purpose of the clinic is to engage kids in the community and get them to stay off the streets and engage and participate in sport, while learning about their health.”

Today was the last day and was more of a graduation day with a bouncy castle, water sports and fun.

“The purpose of presenting the kids with a jersey and a football is to acknowledge that they’ve completed the clinic and to give them something to do at home (kick football), with the hopes that they keep practising and want to join the club some day,” Halkitis said.