Liz Ellis Goes Bush with a group of Australian Sports Women to inspire local girls

11 September 2006

Eight hundred girls in country NSW will attend free coaching sessions in netball, hockey, soccer and self defence as part of the fourth annual Macquarie Bank Sports All Girls Roadshow, headed up by Australian netball captain Liz Ellis this month.

The roadshow, which also includes role model forums and other community events, starts in Narrabri on Monday 18 September, before heading to Narromine on Wednesday 20 September, Dubbo on 21 September and Wellington on 22 September.

Liz will be joined by fellow Australian and Sydney Swifts 2006 Premiership-winning netballer Catherine Cox, Australian Matildas football (soccer) team captain Cheryl Salisbury and representative Amber Neilson, hockey stars  Kate Hollywood and Hayley Burke and Tae Kwon Do athletes Christine Balmer and Amy Bodziony.

“The enthusiasm the girls show during these clinics never ceases to amaze,” said Liz. “The aim is to inspire girls to choose and maintain an active lifestyle through sport, by giving them the opportunities to try something new and come face-to-face with some positive role models.”

This year, for the first time, the Roadshow will also include a Role Model forum targeted at high school girls at Narrabri High School, Dubbo College and Narromine High School. During these forums, the athletes will discuss the importance of teamwork and striving to do your best.

The athletes will also participate in fundraising activities, visiting Dubbo Base Hospital, meeting children via Distance Education system and hosting a function for regional women sports administrators.

The roadshow is an extension of the Macquarie Bank Sports Program which has been running for the past eight years. Under the program, national sporting identities give tuition in netball, rugby union, rugby league, cricket, AFL and basketball to more than 8000 children each year.

Macquarie Bank Sports Chief Operating Officer Brad McCarroll said he was excited to be providing this opportunity to girls in country areas and acknowledged the support of NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.

“The roadshow is a highlight of the Macquarie Bank Sports program as it enables the girls to learn from some fantastic role models  and participate in new and different sports,” he said. “It is important for us to work closely with the local sporting organisations and schools to ensure the impact of our visit and the presence of athletes like Liz Ellis extends well beyond the tour.”

Schedule

Narrabri – Monday 18^th of September

Coaching Clinic  (10.00am – 12.00pm)
Narrabri Netball Association – Narrabri netball courts and fields
Dangar Park Sporting Complex, Wukawa Street Narrabri.

Role Model Forum  (2.00pm – 3.30pm)
Narrabri High School, 2 Gibbons St Narrabri

Fundraiser for Narrabri Netball Association (6.30pm – 8.30pm)
Narrabri RSL, 7-11 Maitland St, Narrabri

Narromine – Wednesday 20^th September

Coaching Clinic (10.00am – 12.00pm)
Narromine High school Merilba St, Narromine

Role Model Forum  (2.00pm – 3.30pm)
Narromine High school, Merilba St, Narromine

Dubbo – Thursday 21 September

Coaching Clinic (10.00am – 12.00pm)
Riverbank 6 and 7 ovals and Nita McGrath Netball Courts, McLeay Street, Dubbo.

Role Model Forum (2.00pm – 3.30pm)
Dubbo College – Senior Campus, Yannandale Rd Dubbo

Fundraiser in support of junior sport in Dubbo (6.30pm – 8.30pm)
PCYC hall on the corner of Darling & Erskine Streets, Dubbo

Wellington – Friday 22nd of September

Coaching clinic only (10.00am – 12.00pm)
Rygate Park, Simpson St Wellington

For more information please contact:

Brad McCarroll
Macquarie Bank Sports
Tel: (612) 8232 8433
Email: brad.mccarroll@macquarie.com