TAFE students studying Certificate II in Tourism and Events are right behind the Junior Spirit Forster Adventure race to be held at Forster Main Beach on May 12.

About a dozen Year 11 and 12 students will be involved in practical event activities, including Facebook promotion, supervising race competitors and setting up and dismantling the junior spirit course, as part of their TAFE work placement program.

Competitors will race their way through obstacles and challenges ranging from tyre minefields, balance obstacles, cargo nets, climbing walls and water hazards, over a distance of 2km.

“This is a brilliant hands-on opportunity for the students in the Great Lakes and Manning to find out what it’s really like working in event management,” said TAFE tourism teacher, Emma Coombe, who organises a number of local work placement opportunities for tourism students in conjunction with Mid Coast Connect.

“In the past some students had to go to larger metropolitan cities to get this type of work experience, but tourism and event management is really coming of age in the Great Lakes with such high calibre events happening more regularly,” said Emma.

It is hoped that the Junior Spirit Forster Adventure race will not only attract local children from primary schools, but participation by children of competitors coming to Forster and the Great Lakes for the multi-event adult Forster Adventure Race, formerly the Anaconda Race, held on the same day.

Race organiser Kerryann Hayes, said the Junior Spirit is designed to motivate kids to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and explore their local surroundings. Participation by local supporters, like TAFE students, are a big part of involving the community in the race experience.