I asked up and coming Sportsman Jackson le Couteur some questions to get his view on community sport and why he enjoys it.

Why do you like playing Footy/cricket?   I’ve enjoyed playing both these sports since I was about 5 years old. I have been playing footy for 11 years and I currently enjoy playing with my mates and going out on a Saturday and having fun, if we win we win but if we lose its not the be all and end all

 

-Have you ever and do you ever aspire to play these sports professionally?   I have aspired to play these sports professionally in the past but not so much anymore as I believe it is too late as I am now 17 and am almost past the age that professional sporting teams are looking for.

 

-Have you ever lost passion for these sports and why?   I have lost passion for cricket before because of previous years when I haven’t achieved what I would have liked to, which has made me frustrated with myself and made cricket boring for me as I wasn’t playing to the best of my ability

 

-As a young up and why do you think kids your age lose interest in sport?   I feel like most people my age lose interest in sports because they discover new interest and hobbies. Most kids my age that lack ability lose interest in sports because they feel like they won’t make it into the senior teams so they give up on trying

 

-What are your highlights in footy?   My biggest highlight in footy would be the year we won the grand final in 2015. That was probably the best year of footy I have ever played as I accomplished some of my biggest career achievement’s such as winning the association goal kicking and also coming third in the mail medal

 

-What are your highlights in Cricket?     My highlights in cricket would obviously be the two grand finals we have won but also making 102 in an association team grand final was a massive highlight of my career

 

-What should be done about Community sporting?     They should work to improve the sports in the community and provide a wide range of different sports for the public to participate

 

-What should improve from the HFL and AEHCA view?     The HFL and AEHCA should provide more support to their younger sporting teams and also a wider range of professional coaching clinics to help young kids develop their skills and give the associations stronger reputations

 

–Who have been your biggest influences?     My biggest influences in footy would have to be James May who has coached me for most of my footy career and has helped me improve my game each year

 

-Who are your idols in Footy and Cricket?     My idols in footy were/are Chris Judd and Patrick Cripps because of the style they play. My idols in cricket are Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith because there batting techniques are so unique and different

 

-Who have been your role models?     My biggest role model would obviously be my Dad. He has taught me a lot about how to go about my sporting and to not be arrogant and cocky. He hasn’t taught me much skill wise but has influenced me greatly with my personality

 

Do you think Video gaming consoles have a big influence on participation numbers falling? Yes, I feel like this has a major impact on the numbers. As kids get older these days they now have a whole range of gaming consoles to choose from where as ten years ago there were very minimal consoles available. I believe that this plays a major part in the numbers decreasing

 

-Why do you think kids don’t play sport anymore and don’t do physical activity? I feel like gaming consoles have a massive impact on kids and playing sports. Kids find new hobbies as well as they get older which also has a fair impact