Family Values

Since Swan Districts’ incorporation into the Western Australian Football League, the club has been fortunate to experience a strong following for over eighty years comprising of fiercely loyal supporters. A core contributor to that bond is Swan Districts’ regard of every player, employee, volunteer, club member, fan and resident of the Swans Community (encompassing the Cities of Swan, Bassendean, Kalamunda, Mundaring and Chittering as allocated by the WAFC), a member of the Swans family.

The club places great value on connected communities and invests heavily in community engagement activities that will assist their family members develop their potential and achieve their dreams. So, despite having just wrapped up the 2018 football, the Swans willingly gave up their much needed and well-deserved break to support the Midvale Junior Football Club do the same for the younger residents of the Swans District.

On the last Tuesday of every month, Midvale JFC host a football clinic for children at Woodbridge Park. According to program creator, Tanya Cripps, the purpose of the clinic is to keep kids engaged with the sport and connected to the club during the off-season.

The ‘Community Kickin’ it Together’ program is an opportunity for young people to play football outside of the normal training period. The emphasis is on encouraging kids to stay active and healthy, to maintain connections with their community and most importantly – to have fun. Each session runs for 90 minutes, is open to all children, and will end with participants enjoying a sausage sizzle together, courtesy of donations received from the community.

“The clinic was originally created for our members during the off-season.  To play a bit of footy, have some food with them and to at least keep in contact with them once a month but as we began planning, we thought, why not open it up to everyone?” said Cripps.

“Once we started organising it, I was amazed at how much the community and local businesses were keen to be involved. Coles Swan View donated a $50 voucher, which we used to buy sausages with, a bakery gave us their unsold rolls and will continue to give us their leftover rolls for future clinics, Daniel from Midland Physiotherapy for a $50 donation and Dani from the Resources Hub have committed to ongoing sponsorship also.” She added.

“We’re hoping to also start a Christmas drive. We’ll be asking business and community members to donate a Christmas gift. We want to give each child a present so they know that we care. Not just during the season but in the other six months of the year too.”

The Resources Hub has invited us to use their place of business to store donated items. It’s something I didn’t even think of. I can’t believe how quickly my small idea to start a clinic has taken off and grown. I didn’t realise how many people it would touch” Cripps shared proudly.

On the 25^th of September 2018, Midvale JFC clinic hosted 50 children at the launch of their ‘Kickin’ it Together’ clinic, the large number of participants a real testament to its success. All the players had a great time kicking the footy thanks to the 20 Swans mini footballs donated by Swan Districts FC.

“The Swan’s involvement with our club is so important. We don’t have many resources or funds behind us and the footballs were really appreciated” said Cripps, the gratitude evident in voice. “Corey (Ranger, Competition and Club Development Team Leader Metro Central, WAFC) has been really supportive too. He’s offered to help and create flyers,” she quipped ruefully “and to help with promotion.”

The next clinic will be held on Tuesday 30^th of October from 4.00pm – 5.00pm at Woodbridge Park on First Ave, Woodbridge. The session will feature senior male and female Swan Districts’ players who will give a talk to the juniors about Swans’ values and also run a few football drills with them.

“Having the Swans behind us is awesome!” Cripps claimed.

One of the Swan Districts’ key objectives is to support the personal and professional development of its community members. The organisation is committed to nurturing the potential of junior players, an ethos shared by Midvale JFC.

“The Midvale committee members give so much of themselves to the kids,” Cripps said. “We’re not running the clinic to recruit, it’s about connecting with the children and the community.”

Midvale JFC invites all Swan District community members to attend their October clinic. For more information, to offer sponsorship or if you would like to volunteer your services, please contact the program coordinators kickin.it.together@hotmail.com

The club also operates a boot exchange and welcomes donations of new and used boots in good condition. Please drop off football boots that are no longer needed into the donation box at Midvale Junior Football Club.