The NJFC ‘Cougars Free Kick’ program launched in 2016 and has expanded significantly in 2017, with more than 20 children now involved across 8 teams. The program runs with particular support of NJFC volunteers Chris McGeachan, Simon Negrelli, Andrew Wallace and Steve Harford, and engages with children from disadvantaged backgrounds to give them the opportunity to participate in community sport.
Thank you to the children and parents across the club who have made these players welcome and able to feel part of the club. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the program by Andrew Chapman from the Merchant Group and the City of Darebin (Darebin Community Grant).
How can you contribute?
Some of the children are local and come along with their families. Others live in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Richmond and are predominantly transported to and from the club by bus. These children often arrive eager to play footy, but without having eaten breakfast. Given that, we have recently started a Breakfast Club for these kids at our ground on Sundays. We have a couple of people running this, but it can be difficult when their children have away games. We’re looking for extra people to help. It would particularly work for any U9 or U10 parents willing to help out when their child is playing at home. It would essentially involve arriving at the club about 8:15, setting up, making toast, managing spillages, encouraging the kids to sit down and eat their meal and chatting to them.
We are also planning on running a couple of cake stalls on a few busy game days over the season. So keep an eye out for info about dates, how you can contribute to baking and when to come prepared to buy some delicious homemade goodies. This will provide some cash flow to buy bread, cereal, fruit etc.
