By Costas Kastanis

July 22, 2008

Nearly 300  youngsters got the chance to enjoy a fun day of football related activities at West Perth's annual Smarter than Smoking Holiday Clinics.

The clinics ran at Arena Joondalup on July 8 and 9 and on July 15 and 16 for children ranging from 6-12 years old.

The kids received coaching from Falcon's players over a variety of skill based exercises, however, the main theme of the clinics was fun.

Ball said the clinics also gave West Perth's colts and league players a chance to "give a little something back to the district".

"It was really good to have that interaction between the Falcon's players and the kids," he said. "It didn't matter if the player hadn't even played a colts game yet. The children still idolised them and wanted to get their signature at the end of the day."

Ball said the only downer of the clinics was on the second last day when rain forced the activities indoors.

"It was really tough on the second Tuesday," he said. "But we took the kids indoors and they still had a great time."

Ball said he had received positive feedback from parents.

"They got a good night's sleep because their kids were in bed a little early," he said.

Rob O'Brien brought his son Tom up for the clinics from the town of Kulin, which is 283km south-east of Perth.

Mr O'Brien said the concept of the clinics was good, especially for the country kids.

"It gives them the opportunity to get exposure to playing here and meeting new kids," he said.

Tom said his favourite part of the carnival was getting the chance to meet new people and play on Arena Joondalup.

Development Manager Jamie Ball summarised the clinics as a success and said he looked forward to organising them again next year, with some minor changes.

"We've been doing this for a while now and we always modify different activities so the kids that come back don't do the same things each year," he said.