Football stars a class act
The Telegraph watches as young footy stars make lunging tackles, go on bursting runs down the wing and take soaring marks in big packs.
Yet it is not an AFL clash on television or even a North Pilbara Football League match - it is South Hedland Primary School's lunchtime game.
With principal Daryl Mansfield taking the umpire's whistle, the school's Years 1-6 students flock to the oval each day to hunt the footy in huge mobs of up to 50 players.
It has become so popular that many players attempt to defy doctor's orders and sneak onto the field despite having stitched-up cuts or broken bones in casts.
When asked how they felt on the days Mr Mansfield was away and the game couldn't take place, a chorus of students chimed in: "sad, because we can't play footy".
"It is great for their fitness, great for their skills, fun and great for their bonding," Mr Mansfield said. He also credited the lunchtime game with helping improve attendance.
South Hedland Primary's student attendance jumped above 80 per cent in term one, 2015, about 5 per cent higher than the 2014 State average for schools of a similar socio-economic background.
Mr Mansfield said the inaugural program had created a new sense of excitement among his students that was helping draw them to school when they might not otherwise have come.
While joking that it additionally helps with maths due to the occasional 50m penalty being awarded, he said students also learnt to look after each other during the games.
As umpire, he often awarded generous free kicks to the younger students for effort, such as showing courage or getting near the ball.
"(We try to teach) the kids to look after your bros, look after your mates and that is one way of showing them," he said.
The message has caught on with Jackson Alec-Aubury, 11, who is clearly enthusiastic about the footy program and has turned his behaviour around to become a burgeoning leader.
