Strathmore Mayor volunteering at Sports Centre

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Town of Strathmore Mayor, Pat Fule, has begun volunteering at the Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre to help coach sports programs for young kids. 

Fule is coaching two sports programs, both taking place once a week over eight weeks, in 45-minute time blocks. The first is for two- and three-year-olds, and the second is for four- and five-year-olds.

“My wife and I ran our Jets sports program for about 25 years, and then I stopped when I became mayor, but I just thought I have some free time as a part-time mayor that I could get involved in coaching again,” said Fule. “I contacted some people within the town and I offered some volunteer time to help on Sunday mornings. I have got the two- and three-year-olds at 10 a.m. and then the four- and five-year-olds at 11 a.m.”

The programs are going to consist of different sports each week, such as soccer and basketball. The kids will mostly be doing drills to focus on very basic skills such as dribbling, passing, kicking, throwing, and so on. 

Fule added the programs are an excellent way for kids to be active while also learning physical skills, and socializing with other little kids their ages.

“I figured I have some free time, and I have some knowledge and some experience in running these kinds of sports programs, and I was watching my grandkids in the program anyway, so I thought if I am there watching, why not just get involved and help coach,” he said. “It is a chance for kids to start learning some skills at a pretty basic, beginner level, get used to the idea of trying to learn the proper way to do things in a simple way, but it is also socializing and learning routines and lining up at times and following directions.”

The programs aim to get kids familiar with movement, socializing, following directions, and give them some skills they can take to pre-school, kindergarten, or grade one physical education classes.

Parents who are interested in the programs will have to register online, and are able to do so through the Town of Strathmore website. Currently, Fule said there are roughly 18 kids enrolled in the two- and three-year-old group, and roughly 11 in the four- and five-year-old group. 

“I like to joke with the parents that my goal is to get their kids moving a lot, get them to have fun, and to make sure they give their parents a nap later on,” said Fule.