Coach helps out at Arohanui

Football man: Duncan Tamaseu dribbles a ball at Fred Taylor park under the watchful eye of Tommy Mason.  Photo: BEN WATSON

By Justin Latif

Tommy Mason is usually found coaching some of west Auckland's top soccer players.

But he puts training aside every Tuesday morning to kick a ball around with a group of six year-old autistic children.

Mason, head coach for the Waitakere City football club, says his work with students from the Arohanui Special school is hugely rewarding.

"We set loads of stuff out and interact with them," he says "If they smile you know they've got something out it."

Pupils from the Te Atatu South-based school have been joining Mason at Fred Taylor park for the last six weeks.

"After week one I certainly knew what I was letting myself into to," Mason says. "It's 24/7 with these kids - they're lovely -but real hard to handle."

Autism affects the children's ability to communicate and interact socially.

But their teacher, Lara Holt, says she has seen a marked improvement in their development, since the scheme began.

"We've found they are talking a lot more which is really neat," she says.

"Yes we learn football but it works on a whole lot of other things at the same time."

Mason, who has worked with autistic children before in Tauranga, urges other community organisations to support the school in its efforts.

"It would be good to see some sponsors help them because they are not a wealthy school at all,"he says.