STUDENTS HELP SPORTS SKILLS PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

From Saturday 31 March a special Sports Skills program for children with disabilities will be hosted at Southern Cross University's Lismore campus. Students from the Human Movement Science degree program will assist in conducting a program which is a joint initiative of the North Coast Branch of the NSW Sports Council for the Disabled and SCU's School of Exercise Science & Sport Management.

The program, which forms part of the NSW Sport Council for the Disabled 2001 events on the Northern Rivers, is a fun recreational program comprising various sporting activities for children aged 8-18.

According to SCU's Jak Carroll, the main aims of the program are to improve the gross motor skills, sports skills and confidence of the children. "The emphasis is on allowing the children to have fun and to interact socially in a supportive environment," he said. ""The Human Movement students who run the program do a fabulous job. They have good coaching skills and ensure that the children have an enjoyable time."

The program will be held in the sports hall in P Block at Southern Cross University, Lismore, on the following Saturday mornings from 9.30am-11.00am:

Term 1 (six Saturdays): 31 March, 7, 21, 28 April, 5, 12 May

Term 2 (six Saturdays): 11, 18, 25 August, 8, 15, 22 September

Term 3 (five Saturdays): 10, 17, 24 November, 1, 8 December

The cost is $25.00 per term or $5 per casual session

Sports Skills is part of a broader program that includes 'Willing and Able Camps' for 8-18 year olds at Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre, Lennox Head. The camps, from 18-20 May and 31 August -2 September 2001, provide children with the opportunity to participate in a variety of games and recreational activities. The cost of attendance at each camp will be approximately $75 (including all meals, accommodation, activities, coaching and support staff).