Primary Sports

In Term Two we have had some free clinics, continuing programs and have begun planning for the coming years events. This term we have achieved the following.

1. Successfully secured $3000 in Sporting Schools Grants
2. Run AFL Coaching for years 3-6 through the sporting schools program
3. Run free Female Basketball Coaching sessions for years R-6
4. Begun our second Auskick Program
5. Had a visit from AFLW Player Sarah Allan and the Premiership Cup
6. Run and won our first Islamic Inter-school Competition
7. Registered for the first ever Boys Westies Cup AFL Competition
8. Begun preparations for the Boys and Girls Bachar Houli Cups
9. Begun preparations for Term Three Sports Day
10. Had a student win a statewide design competition for a multicultural football

Once again we were lucky enough to secure funding for specialist coaches. The upper primary students used the funding to fine tune their AFL skills in the lead up to AFL competition season. The SANFL has seen a large increase in multicultural participation in the sport and through the Bachar Houli Foundation two Islamic staff have been employed to develop football in Adelaide, specifically in Islamic youth. This puts us in wonderful position. Thanks to Br. Amer El Hosni and Sr. Layan Saadeh for their support. They have been a regular prescience at our school this year and helped us navigate the AFL landscape while understanding and integrating our culture.

This term we put on our second Auskick after a successful program last year. We had a keen group from across R-6 who participated enthusiastically every week. We also had our first ever external enrolment which was a lovely surprise for AIC. A young boy who lives nearby chose to visit us every week to join our program. Our students were friendly and welcoming and it was an unexpectedly nice way to reach out to the local community. We were also given the incredible opportunity to play on Adelaide Oval at half time of an AFL game. I will share news about this event in the next newsletter.

As part of Basketball South Australia’s Female Participation Strategy, our school was invited to receive a free basketball clinic. The Female Participation Strategy is a collaborative approach to engage females in the sport of Basketball by increasing confidence, community spirit and leadership skills. Key focus areas of the strategy included diversity, inclusion, remote and rural reach. The coaches we had were from Adelaide Lightening. Over two days every girl in primary was able to engage in the clinic. We are so proud to have been a part of this and hope that it will encourage our students to branch out to clubs and try sports for which epithet have a passion.

In May we were included in the AFLW Premiership Cup Tour. The Crows Womens Team have won three Premierships and this year took the cup on the road. It is exciting for our students to have had two opportunities this year to interact and learn from professional athletes. I heard a saying recently, “you can’t be what you can’t see”. With so many talented students out there imagine what seeing these athletes does for them. I am excited to see where this leads.

In August last year Pinnacle College narrowly beat AIC boys in the race for the Bachar Houli Cup. The very next day AIC was keen to have another go and compete again. From this grew an idea for an Islamic Inter-school Group that join together to compete in sporting contests throughout the year. The idea gained momentum when I met with Pinnacle PE Coordinator Michael Triantifilikis. We mapped out a few competition ideas and finally got one off the ground after a year of setbacks. The Islamic Soccer Cup was for year 6 boys. Each school had two teams and played three games each. AIC and Pinnacle played off in the final and our boys came away with the win. A great result that has left everyone wanting more.

This year the Bachar Houli Foundation ran a competition to design a football for the Bachar Houli Cup. It was open to three schools who were all invited to submit their top three entries. These were sent to Melbourne for judging and a design by AIC year six student Noor Zrieka was selected as the winner. Her design is currently being manufactured and will be used at the male and female Bachar Houli Cups in August.

This term I have also started visiting some of our students out at clubs playing club sport to continue their passions and build on their skills. I have been impressed with the number of students out playing at club level and using their excess energy in a positive way. Next term we have more competitions coming and after school soccer. Sports Day is set for September 15th. Looking forward to an exciting term three.

Regards

Ms. Katy Javor