CASEY YMCA staff were rewarded for more than a year of hard work when they graduated from their training courses last Thursday.
The 12 members from a range of different centres in the local area, including the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Cranbourne Indoor Pool, Casey ARC and the Berwick Leisure Centre, were presented with their Certificate III and Certificate IV in Sports and Recreation.
The commitment to the training cause started in June last year and culminated with a graduation ceremony attended by Casey mayor Kevin Bradford.
However, the real challenges now begin for the enthusiastic team members who will now move into the sport and recreation field within the YMCA
Cranbourne YMCA Team Leader Martin Harrison said the course was a tough task as he was trying to fit in study along with family and work commitments at the same time.
“But we all got through it somehow and we are all really proud of ourselves,” Mr Harrison said.
Maurice Rossetti, Program coordinator and YMCA Cranbourne branch manager, said all the staff on the program worked very hard to get to their graduation day.
“The partnership program offered the opportunity for staff to further their qualifications and give them the platform to go further with their careers in sport and recreation,” Mr Rossetti said.
Casey ARC YMCA staff member Tim Burmeister said it was a fantastic chance to complete further study and get some qualifications after leaving secondary school and going straight into the work force.
“I never got the chance to study at uni when I was younger and now I am just so thankful to Maurice and the YMCA for an opportunity like this,” Mr Burmeister said.