San Daymoo Pearl from Galvin Park Secondary College shows off his skills. 88609 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By XAVIER SMERDON
MORE than 100 students from a Werribee secondary school enjoyed a day of competitive bike riding last week thanks to a group of university students.
Laine Delahunty and 24 other Victoria University students organised the Tour De Galvin Park last Friday as part of their Sport Events Management class.
The Victoria University students spent 11 weeks organising the event, with the main goal being to run a successful event that covers every detail.
“We basically had to run a successful event that holds its own,” Mr Delahunty said.
“It’s good to be able to hold an event for an underfunded school. They (the students) don’t get the opportunity to get out and do things like this all the time.”
Two races were held over several hours, the first being between 20 teams of five riders. The second race involved the top 20 riders as predetermined by the Victoria University students.
Fellow student Paul Sita said the Galvin Park students had enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the event.
“They’ve actually embraced the whole day and they really seem to be enjoying it,” Mr Sita said.
Aside from taking part in the races, the students were treated to a barbecue and the chance to win prizes.
Mr Delahunty said it was the first time the event had been held in the western suburbs.
“It’s the first time an event like this has been integrated with a school,” he said.
“(Road cycling) is seen as a blue blooded sport so it’s good for the kids to be able to give it a try.”
