Dragon boating, the ultimate in teamwork

After applying for a NSW Sporting Schools Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) grant for Wee Waa High School last term, PE/English teacher Penelope Wallington put her thinking cap on to engage a sport that would be inclusive, as well as accommodate as many students as possible, encouraging teamwork, co-operation and communication.

And what could better fit the bill than the increasingly popular sport of dragon boat racing?

Mrs Wallington contacted Narrabri’s Namoi Dragons to ask if they could facilitate the idea – and a venture was born.

The Namoi Dragons boating team joined forces on Monday, September 4 with the Outback Dragons, Dubbo, the Colour City Dragons, Orange, and the Bathurst Pan Dragons, Bathurst, to provide a day of fun, adventure and learning for the Wee Waa High Students.

Also attending the day were Australia Dragon Boat Federation Level 3 coach and trainer Deb Clarke and Western Region sweep co-ordinator, Phil Lambert assessing the sweeps – the steerers who sit at the back of the boat. Mr Lambert oversees an area stretching from Lithgow to Dubbo, Narrabri and Wagga.

Deputy principal of Wee Waa High School Marjory Drummond said “It was a fantastic day and our students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience dragon boat racing. We’d like to say a big thank you to the members of the Namoi Dragon Boat Club for making this incredible opportunity possible, and to the Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo clubs who travelled to Narrabri to help on the day”.

The dragon boats pull in to shore ready to enjoy a bankside lunch at the Narrabri West lake.

Sporting Schools is an Australian government initiative designed to help schools increase children’s participation in sport and connect them with community sport opportunities, focussing on inclusive activities.

Sporting Schools programs are provided free to children and their families to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life.

To help achieve this, the Australian Sports Commission has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations and national sporting organisations for people with disability.

The event was offered to multi-category students including those with autism.

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to host the day for Wee Waa High School,” said Namoi Dragon’s president Kirk Harvey. “To see the students join in the activity with such camaraderie and enjoyment was a wonderful sight. We hope to see more of this activity and extend the opportunity to other schools in the district in the future.

“We would like to thank all our dragon boat volunteers who assisted us on the day, with several travelling from Orange, Dubbo and Bathurst.

“We also wish to express our appreciation to Wee Waa High School staff for launching the idea of the event with the Namoi Dragons boating club and for providing a barbecue lunch on the day.”