Moe BC embrace Life Skills
“The Moe Bowling Club volunteers have embraced this opportunity to make a real difference to the community, and build a strong connection back to the club,” says Michelle Harris from Gippsport, who has supported the Moe Life Skills Indoor Jack Attack Program in 2017.
The program ran for eight weeks during Term 4 and was held in the Hall at the high street community hub. The Hub’s aim is to promote community inclusion for people of all abilities.
There were between six and eight participants and their support staff each week from the Moe Life Skills Program. The program used Jr. Jack Attack equipment, which Bowls Victoria provided to support GippSport’s work.
GippSport staff attended each week to support the program on a Monday between 9.15-10.15am, followed by morning tea. The morning tea provides a great opportunity for people to socialise and build relationships around a shared interest.
Members of the Moe Bowling Club attended each week to assist the program, including President Les Stolarik.
The club volunteers provide coaching, support, assistance with the use of the equipment and general motivation for the participants. Each member of the group requires varying levels of assistance as they have a range of complex and high needs disabilities including vision impairment, communication challenges and most require mobility assistance.
The participants have really enjoyed getting to know the club volunteers, looking forward to the program each week. Their bowling skills have improved out of sight, now hitting a range of targets and demonstrating bowling techniques.
Mr Stolarik said the club didn’t know what to expect, however the volunteers were enthusiastic and really enjoyed the program. Moe would love to encourage anyone involved with Moe Life Skills to come and get involved with the club.
“We’re a community based bowling club and we want to make sure we’re involved with the community. Whether it’s the local football club or Moe Life Skills, we’re really trying to connect with the other organisations in the area.
“We’ve changed our name to the Moe Lions Bowling Club to fall in line with the football, cricket and netball clubs. This has already attracted one new sponsor, and all of these initiatives help raise the profile of the club.”
Thanks to Gippsport for their work in partnering with Moe Life Skills, and Moe BC to get this program off the ground. Well done to Moe BC on demonstrating the important role that club’s play fostering greater social interaction and cohesion amongst the community.
You can check out all of the great work Regional Sports Assemblies like Gippsport do around the State here.
