EXCHANGES Sharing their skills
From the land of superstar professional footballer Lionel Messi, came Valentino Pons, Vladimir Boroda and Felipe Lejtman in Term 1 this year, bringing their Argentinian football skills with them.
The South Americans were home hosted by Year 13 students Henri Quested, Jenner Johnson and Yngve Jordan and their families. The presence of the three 17-year- olds was too valuable to let pass, and Physical Education teacher Matt Cortesi was quick to involve the willing sportsmen in the new Year 13 Sport Leadership programme. “It was good to include the Argentinian boys in this class and a great chance for them to gain some extra leadership and coaching skills, plus use their English,” says Matt. “And they loved it. This new course is all about teaching the boys how to coach and elements of leadership. We’re working with Sport New Zealand on a unit standards course, and at the end of the programme the boys will end up with a coaching certificate, a first aid certificate, and a recreational leadership award.” “ It was a great chance for them to gain some extra
With the three overseas students taking charge of an introductory futsal session, their classmates were put through a range of football skills and drills, testing their fitness and abilities, the gym full of noise and action. The follow-up was a debrief session, when the coaching and learning was analysed in readiness for subsequent sessions – as College boys prepare to coach Year 9 students and help run sports courses for Cathedral Grammar School and St Michael’s Church School, as well as develop recreational opportunities for College staff, and complete a sports first aid course.
“The plan is to engage all the boys at a level where they can do some good, achieve some success and acquire some teaching and leadership qualities along the way,” says Matt. For the Argentinian trio, the chance to share their skills in the futsal session was fantastic, according to Vlad. “We’re trying to make them first class. They’re very good already.” The Argentinians returned home in March, to Colegio Pestalozzi in Buenos Aires, to continue to study English and to further hone their football skills.
leadership and coaching skills, plus use their
English. ” Matt Cortesi
From left: Valentino Pons, Vladimir Boroda and Felipe Lejtman
College Issue 38 2020
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