LUCKY Mount Cotton State School children got to meet some sports stars today when Sport Minister Mick de Brenni launched a scheme which will feature 70 elite athletes visiting schools.
Netball player Beryl Friday and Rio Olympics bronze medal archer Ryan Tyack met year 6 pupils Ava D’Castro and Alfie Elliott.
Mr de Brenni said all primary schools should apply for a QAS4Schools visit.
He said primary school students were in for a treat with the new $470,000 Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) initiative, QAS4Schools, to be rolled out across the state in the lead up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
“Queensland’s elite athletes are proof that with hard work and dedication, dreams can become reality,” Mr de Brenni said.
“But more importantly, our kids can learn from our top athletes that an active and healthy lifestyle is its own reward.
“I’m sure that through this initiative these athletes will inspire a new generation of Queensland sporting heroes.”
Education and Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the aim was to reach as many schools as possible.
She said some of the athletes involved were vying for selection at the Games.
Mr De Brenni said the QAS played an important role in supporting athletes to be their best on the international stage.
“This support includes the continued guidance by some of Queensland’s most influential sportspeople as part of the QAS Board.”
Ms Friday said she also was studying to be a teacher and, if she went to a high school, would likely concentrate on physical education.
Is she ended up at a primary school, she would prefer to be in the class room.
Mr Tyack’s archery skills intrigued Alfie Elliott, who started a long line of questions with a tricky one about how old you had to be to get into archery.
For more information about the QAS4Schools program, go to www.qasport.qld.gov.au/qas4schools or email qas4schools@npsr.qld.gov.au
