Community and Club News
Healthy Hearts Children’s Cooking Program
Parramatta/Holroyd Family Support
Parramatta Leagues Club donated over $9000 to the Parramatta Holroyd Family Support Inc. This grant was used to create and develop the ‘Healthy Hearts Children Cooking Program’.
The programs aim is to encourage children to participate in cooking with nutritious food and learn about the different food groups as well as encouraging them to try different foods. The program was also developed to raise awareness about why we eat healthy food. The group also aimed to build self esteem and confidence in children through cooking and also through team fitness activities.
Children were given the opportunity to create different healthy meals and goodies based on the weekly theme. The children were very excited about sharing what they had made with their families as well as trying the different foods during group time. They also participated in different physical activities such as team tag, ball games, hoola hoop and skipping games.
The children have gained so much enjoyment, knowledge and self esteem from the group. Every week they improved a little each time.
The program will be run a further 3 times over the course of the year and up to 10 children will be able to attend each group. Overall this will allow up to 40 children to benefit from the program over the year and go towards educating those children of the importance of healthy food and exercise as well as building confidence and self esteem.
Northcott’s New Ride
Children and adults with a disability will be able to access the community thanks to the generous donation from Parramatta Leagues Club, along with Sargents Pies and Variety, of a brand new $160,000 accessible bus to Northcott Disability Services.
The Variety Club Sunshine Coach, a 22-seater Mitsubishi Rosa, has been modified to transport wheelchairs seven wheelchairs at one time, which also allows nine other people on the bus.
Kerry Stubbs, CEO of Northcott Disability Services said the not-for-profit organisation provided a number of services in and around the metropolitan Sydney region that requires transporting children and young adults with disabilities.
“The new bus will be used across a number of different services including Northcott’s centre-based respite, recreation programs, community participation program and play groups,” Ms. Stubbs said.
“These activities and outings assist in developing our client’s independence and social confidence,” she said.
“The bus replaces an old bus which did not have air conditioning, fewer built-in safety features, no tinted windows and less capacity, meaning more clients will now not only be able to attend outings within the community, but be able to travel in comfort,” she said. Ms Stubbs said Northcott relies on financial support from the community to continue to provide services and activities for the 8,000 clients and families it supports.
“I am delighted by the efforts of Variety the children’s charity NSW, Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation and the Parramatta Leagues Club in collectively providing us with this much-needed bus,” Ms. Stubbs said.
“Because of their generous and continued support Northcott will be able to continue to fulfil our commitment to our clients and their families in Metropolitan Sydney,” she said.
Tullio Cofrancesco, Chief Executive of the Parramatta Leagues Club said: “Parramatta Leagues Club has a long and proud association with Northcott Disability Services.”
“When we received the proposal to sponsor the new bus, we immediately saw how beneficial it would be to the services provided by Northcott,” Mr. Cofrancesco said.
“We are honoured to be a part of such an important community project,” he said.
Northcott Disability Services is an innovative and dynamic not-for-profit organisation that provides support to 8,000 people with a broad range of disabilities and their families and carers across NSW and the ACT by providing a range of services which promote a genuinely inclusive society.
To donate or for more information on Northcott visit www.northcott.com.au or Freecall 1800 506 071.
Parramatta Water Polo Junior Development
The Parramatta Water Polo Club would like to again thank Parramatta Leagues for the sponsorships it has provided to our club. Without the sponsorship money the Water Polo club would struggle to maintain its junior programs at the same level.
The sponsorship money continues to be used towards junior development in the Parramatta area. There is under 14s and under 16s teams competing in the Sydney water polo competition. The money is used for a variety of purposes, for the junior players such as:
1. purchase of necessary equipment such as balls and caps
2. player registration fees
3. team entry fees
4. club championship carnivals
5. sponsorship money for juniors in representative teams
6. advertising for players in local newspapers
7. junior presentation day and awards
8. club uniform
9. club website licence fee
The average yearly costs to run the junior teams is approx $5,000 and the Parra Leagues grant covers 60% of our club's expenses. As a result the Water Polo club has been able to heavily subsidy the registration fee that juniors could have been charged.
The 2008-9 season was quite successful with the u14s boys team reaching the Metropolitan Competition Grand Final. Two players were selected in junior state teams and one of them also won a sports person award from Fairfield Council. Three boys were also selected for the u13s NSW development squad.
The club's aim is to attract and develop as many juniors (girls and boys) in the area that are interested in playing water polo. All juniors over 10 years of age are welcome to play. If they are not quite ready for competition they are encouraged to train with the other juniors until they have developed their skills.
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