Yule Brook College students are going above and beyond to ensure their Football Academy has a healthy future and continues to produce quality young men from the fruitful South East suburbs of Perth. As part of their school curriculum, Academy students spend time at a local Primary school to mentor and assist indigenous boys in year’s five to seven with daily school tasks.

Six year nine students earned the privilege to work at East Maddington and Queens Park Primary schools for one day per week for the ten weeks of second term which also includes some sport activity.

Last term, year ten students completed the program with outstanding results as the Primary students have improved their attendance and behaviour at school.

It is a win-win situation. The primary students gain a mentor, learn some football or basketball skills and develop a brighter outlook for their school future. The Yule Brook students gain valuable experience in mentoring, coaching and the kudos with being looked up to by younger peers.

As a result, when a primary student makes the transition to Yule Brook College he is better equipped to handle high school and life in a Clontarf academy.

Dale Hart, 14, is enjoying being involved with Queens Park Primary School and has developed new skills through his involvement in the program.

“I used to go to Queens Park two years ago,” says Hart, “It’s great to go back and help the young ones with schoolwork and teach them some football skills.”

“First we help the indigenous boys with their reading then we sit with them in class and make sure they are doing their work.

“After lunch we have a kick of the football with the whole class which is a reward for doing schoolwork. I have learnt what it feels like to be a teacher and it is great when the kids are well behaved but hard when they are being cheeky.”

At East Maddington Primary the students are taught basketball and football by their Yule Brook mentors as well as help in the classroom.

Yule Brook academy staff Craig Callaghan and Garth Taylor believe the primary program is invaluable and the boys from both schools really look forward to the one day per week.

“At Queens Park our students assist with reading and help the teachers during class,” Callaghan said. “By incorporating sport and schoolwork we find a good balance for young students to really enjoy school and have fun with the Yule Brook students.

“It is a program that will cover a whole year, so the primary students are getting consistent attention, similar to a Clontarf academy.”

The Yule Brook students were rewarded at the end of term with a three-day camp in Cervantes to coach young footballers from the fishing town.

Over forty young footballers were put through their paces by the Yule Brook mentors in a dusk training session followed by a sausage sizzle and presentation.

The social interaction is invaluable for both groups and a healthy relationship is being established between the Cervantes Junior Tigersharks and Yule Brook Yongas.