Athletic skills get boost

Katanning Rotary Club has generously handed over a $1540 cheque to Katanning Senior High School to go towards a new program starting next year.

To be introduced to Year 9 and 10 students in 2018, L.E.A.D is an academic extension program within the HPE learning area to promote the development of the school’s top athletes.

Jadon Gielingh, from the HPE department, said students within the program would have the opportunity to engage in physical education, health education, strength and conditioning.

“We will be creating an environment that promotes leadership, excellence, athleticism and dedication — the four cornerstones of the program,” he said.

“The program will also provide greater support for students who have typically struggled or disengaged from physical education.”

Students will be given opportunities to participate in a variety of sports, as well as off-site sport, which will require them to pass a trial period of a fitness test, interview and behaviour checks.

Mr Gielingh also said the program has a huge potential benefit for the school, students and community.

“The development of individual athletes within this program will improve school performance at inter-school sporting competitions, and community performance in external sporting competitions,” he said.

“With a plan to expand the program into Years 7 and 8 in the next two years, we see this program building the school’s reputation and prestige ... through the L.E.A.D program will over time appeal to the superior athletes of the Central Great Southern region.”

Katanning Rotary Club president Keith Ohlsen said the money would go towards singlets for each student enrolled in the program and would have the L.E.A.D and KSHS logo on it.

“We are sponsoring the cost of the singlets, which brings the price of the course down so that it can be more affordable for kids to join,” he said.

“It’s about helping to give opportunities to students to excel in these sorts of areas.”