The birth of HK Country Kids
Having been born, lived and taught in country regions our whole lives we wanted to give country kids the opportunities we were given during our upbringing. Sport and exercise have always been great avenues for life learning and although the landscape is forever changing, these will always remain. As teachers we saw the decline in social interaction and connection in youth and wanted to play a part in improving this in country areas. Hence HK Country Kids Play was born!
Providing the country community with another option for families was high on our agenda. As parents of young children ourselves we understood the constraints, complexity and frustration for working families and parenthood in general. Giving everyone a break is important!
We hope to grow, excite and inspire a new generation of safe holiday play for our country kids, we hope you join our vision!
Nick Hewett (Founder)
Nick grew up on a farm near Port Broughton and enjoyed playing a wide variety of sports usually quite competitively with his 3 younger brothers. Footy, cricket, motor bikes and water sports were regularly on the menu with the occasional wrestle.
Nick has been a teacher in the country for 11 years split between the South East and Yorke Peninsula. He loves helping people experience success and personal growth and has coached a number of different footy teams ranging from NYP SAPSASA to BMFC A grade. Nick has 2 kids, Luca and Hugo, who keep him on his toes and enjoy being outside and busy.
He enjoys getting away with his family, ideally where there is surf or snow. As a teacher, Nick holds a double degree in Education and Human Movement, as well as completing the level 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation.
Pat Keane (Founder)
Pat was born and raised in Port Pirie, a sporting mecca for country kids. Football, Soccer, Cricket, Tennis, Basketball and Golf were opportunities both Pat and his two brothers were given from a young age. Pat has been teaching for 13 years in country schools, with the majority at Kadina Memorial School in the Middle and Senior years. He loves educating others in different situations such as carrying out a teaching exchange in Canada and coaching the A grade Paskeville Football side.
Pat is the proud father of 3 children: Lottie, Jed and Leo who remind him every day that his years of being active are far from over. He enjoys travelling with his family in their caravan and golfing with his mates.
As a teacher, Pat holds a double degree in Education and Human Movement, whilst also holding the Level 2 AFL Coaching Accreditation.
Brodie Millward (Facilitator)
Brodie grew up in Port Broughton where he enjoyed playing sport all year round. Football was the winter sport of choice, with cricket being played in summer. Brodie has three siblings, which he would always be involved in some friendly competition, whether it be basketball, tennis, netball and more.
Brodie is in his third year of teaching, all of which has been done in Maitland Lutheran School. Brodie loves that he has the opportunity to help students build skills such as confidence and resilience, which help them to flourish as they progress through school and into their lives in the future.
In his spare time, Brodie enjoys spending time with his family and friends, getting away camping and playing football for Paskeville. He holds a bachelor of Human Movement and Master of Teaching (Secondary).
Tyler Norton (Facilitator)
Tyler was born and raised in Port Broughton, participating in various social, outdoor and sporting events. Growing up, Tyler and his brother developed their skills in Football, Basketball, Tennis, Gymnastics and Golf. The two often spent time camping, hiking, kayaking or riding a motorbike to pass the time.
Tyler has been a country-based teacher for 6 years, teaching at Gladstone High School at the start of his career before returning to Port Broughton Area School. While completing his bachelor’s and master’s degree over 5 years, Tyler was employed by professional sporting clubs, and schools throughout Adelaide as a contracted sports coach.
Tyler has two children, Amyra and Alexander, who love exploring the outdoors and competing against their Dad in backyard sports.
Corey WHite (Facilitator)
Corey was born and raised in Adelaide being involved in plenty of different sports from a young age. Growing up he had a strong focus on cricket, indoor cricket and footy. Aside from playing sport he also coached cricket at both a club level for East Torrens District Cricket Club and state level for the South Australia under 14’s indoor team.
Corey moved to Port Broughton in 2022 once he had finished his primary teaching degree, before moving to teach at Karoonda Area School in 2023. He then made his way back to Port Broughton to teach at PBAS in 2024.
Nowadays he plays both cricket and footy for Broughton Mundoora and loves to go away camping in his free time.