Education workers are invited to participate in a new sporting games event being held in Mandurah during the school holiday period in October.

The first ever WA Teachers’ Games will be held at various locations in the City of Mandurah from 5-7 October and encompass a range of sports and activities.

Sports include Aussie rules football, archery, baseball, basketball, cricket, soccer, golf, hockey, netball, rugby, tennis, and volleyball.

Participants can also be involved in other activities such as lawn bowls, orienteering, pool, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding and ultimate frisbee.

Events will be held during the day and social events such as a quiz night, river cruise and karaoke function, are planned for the evenings.

The games are open to any individuals employed in WA schools, which includes support and casual staff.

Department of Education (DoE) corporate staff, as well as event sponsors and registered volunteers are also invited to participate.

Retired teachers are invited to take part in the games.

The WA Teachers’ Games are organised by School Sport WA (SSWA), which is an association of school teachers that promote, organise and coordinate sporting competitions for WA students within WA, nationally and internationally.

SSWA executive officer Robyn Brierley said it was modelled after the Victorian Teachers’ Games (as seen in pictures on this page), which have been held annually for the past 25 years and attracts 3,500 teachers each year.

“We had initial plans to run the event last year but it was postponed due to COVID-19,” she said.

“The motivation to initiating the games came from discussions with Victoria

School Sport and the success of their games.”

Ms Brierley said the games would provide an opportunity for attendees to engage with like-minded people through sports and activities, reconnect with old friends and colleagues, be active and have an avenue for physical fitness and provide team-building opportunities for education workers.

“We have attempted to get a cross section of sports that will hopefully appeal to the masses,” she said.

“The State Sporting Associations that are conducting the sports have also the opportunity to expose teachers to modified formats that they may be able to implement back in their schools.

“A number of State Sporting Associations have indicated they would like to conduct some professional learning. These opportunities are still being finalised.

“Current indications are that there will be some coach upskilling for a number of sports and an opportunity for individuals to attain their Skipper’s ticket.”

Ms Brierley said the games have been organised with the support of the DoE and City of Mandurah.

Participants have until Friday 27 August to register for the games. They will also have to pay a $35 registration fee, as well as an activity fee, which varies depending on the sport/activity involved in.

For registrations, a full list of sports and activities and further information visit schoolsportwa.com.au/teachers-games