Respect the West - Community Action Portal: 20th Man Making a Difference in the Lives of Western Suburbs Youth
From”The Advocate”
Janae Houghton
27 October 2009
Gym lightens heavy lifting
Macho man: Melvin Becket, Angelo Muorwel, Les Twentyman, Hindoloh K Sesay and Adil Suliman. Picture: Michael Copp
SEVEN teenagers from the western suburbs started lifting weights and using treadmills last week as part of an initiative to give disadvantaged kids easy access to fitness programs and sport.
As part of the 20th Man Fund program, youth worker Les Twentyman and the owners of World Gym in Sunshine asked teenagers to apply to win a free six-month membership.
They contacted schools in Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay, urging them to nominate students who would most benefit from the opportunity.
Melvin Becket, Hindoloh Sesay and Egzon Qorri from Maribyrnong College, Adil Suliman from Debney Park Secondary College, and Angelo Muorwel, Amsalu Mengistu and Sorie Thoronka from Sunshine College were chosen.
World Gym manager Andrew Meade said he hoped to continue the program.
“We were pretty happy with the number of applicants we got and we would like to make it an annual thing.”
Mr Twentyman said it was a great way to make sport more accessible.
“This is just another way to help get kids into sport, which can be financially challenging for parents of teenagers so we have to try and give the kids the best chance we can.”
He cited one of the recipients as an example. Adil Suliman was getting into some trouble before someone recommended that he take up soccer.
Since then, Adil has represented Victoria in the under-15s and been recruited to the Australian Institute of Sport.
Adil said the gym membership would “help keep me fit for soccer”.
The students have full access to the whole gym and will also learn about issues such as hydration and weight training.
While no girls were selected for this year’s program, Mr Meade said they were encouraged to apply in future years.
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