Children at Laharum Primary School in Horsham are receiving plenty of pedal power through a new partnership involving the Australian Government’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program in regional Victoria.

Under the watchful eye of Horsham Cycling Club and AASC accredited community coach Geoff Witmitz, the students have been honing their bicycle skills during weekly one-hour sessions of safe and structured cycling activity.

The activities are a result of a new partnership between the AASC program, Laharum Primary School, Horsham Cycling Club and the state sporting organisation, Cycle Sport Victoria.

Laharum Primary School Principal, Robyn Jones said ‘the whole school has embraced this wonderful program, the parents love it the children love it and the coaches are fantastic'.

‘Community coaches like Geoff have the opportunity to inspire Australian children to develop a life-long love of participating in sport by being part of the AASC program.’

Two development officers from Cycle Sport Victoria, Alan Mok and Chris Goodrope, also jumped on board and visited Laharum’s AASC session to add their expertise. During the session the children participated in games which allowed them to challenge the skills they had been developing through their weekly sessions with Horsham Cycling Club.

AASC regional coordinator Murray McKenzie said the activities gave the children who attend the Grampians rural school access to specialised cycling coaching they would not normally receive.

'This is truly a great example of the AASC, Laharum Primary School, the Horsham Cycling Club and Cycle Sport Victoria working together to enhance the enjoyment of children participating in sport,’ said Murray.

‘It is expected this work will result in new junior members for the Horsham Cycling Club.’

Up to 190 000 children nationally take part in the AASC program each term, and have access to fun, free and safe introductions to over 70 sports and 20 structured physical activities.