Dick Wilson reports on the GFAA’s efforts in minimizing the effect of athletics fees on the students of Gloucester High School, through volunteering for the upcoming Triathlon
In addition to raising money for the city of Gloucester and attracting over 800 athletes, the Gloucester Triathlon will also be helping high school students.
This weekend, Gloucester High School student athletes, with the help of the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association (GFAA), will be able to volunteer their time at the triathlon to earn money off of their athletic fees.
“It’s a very unique program,” GFAA chairman Dick Wilson said. “Some people complain that kids aren’t doing enough for their community but these kids are giving back to the city and they are earning every penny off of their fees.”
The student athletes get $10 deducted from their respective sport’s athletic fees for each hour they volunteer. This morning the students will be helping rake rocks off of Pavillion Beach, which is where the first leg (the swimming leg) will begin.
Tomorrow the students will set up bike racks in St. Peter’s Square. Competitors will have their bikes waiting for them on the racks as they finish the swimming portion of the race and start the biking leg.
“The response has been terrific,” Wilson said. “Athletic fees are high now but there are ways for the kids to earn some credit.”
The Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association, which was founded in 2006, is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to support all athletic programs and facilities in the Gloucester Public Schools and the City of Gloucester.
In the past, the GFAA has raised over $170,000 in the last two school years. They organized a work day each of the last two years where kids could clean local ball fields and last year they had students paint the bleachers at Newell Stadium to earn credits towards their athletic fees.
For more information on the Triathlon visit GloucesterTriathlon.com
Gloucester High student athletes volunteering at Gloucester Triathlon via GloucesterTimes.com
