THE Pokémon craze is alive and well in Sawtell and surrounds thanks to the formation of a club created by Matt Tobin, a year 4 teacher at William Bayldon Public School.

The Sawtell Pokémon Club is an evolution of weekly morning sessions Matt held at the school to encourage reading and positive social interactions between students.

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“Over the two years of those sessions, I had a lot of parents from other schools in the local area state that they wished there was something like this for their children,” Matt told News Of The Area.

“I can see the educational and social benefits of Pokémon the Trading Card Game, so I decided to trial six weeks worth of sessions at the Sawtell Bowls and Rec Club venue and it really took off.”

With the free-to-join, not-for-profit club established, it is fast turning into a social hub attended by kids and supported by parents and carers.

Recently, they celebrated a Pokémon club participant’s tenth birthday; the club gave away some Halloween booster packs on the Monday before Halloween; and Matt is planning a special Pokémon Bundle Christmas give-away on Monday 18 December.

“And we’re currently taking interest for a Pizza and Pokémon afternoon,” he said.

Seeing positive, genuine interactions between children, their friends and family members is the best thing about Sawtell Pokémon Club according to Matt.

“Win or lose, children who participate are always smiling, happy and appreciative of the opportunity to play against others with similar interests in a safe, supportive environment.”

The club attracts equal numbers of boys and girls, from ages eight to fourteen.

“The structure of the game, our current set up and my experience teaching students with additional needs, allows me to support neurological diverse participants, by making adjustments or modifications to the game or environment.”

The Club meets at Sawtell Bowls and Rec Club every Monday with play from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

Matt’s role is to adjudicate matches, support new players, suggest strategies, answer questions and encourage communication and fair play between players.

“I also try to find time to interact with parents, carers and family members or even encourage them to have a go.

“So far, every parent who’s learnt the game, loves it,” he said.

Currently, the club can cater for up to 30 participants at a time.

New members are welcome and parents are encouraged to join the club’s Facebook group by searching Sawtell Pokémon Club, the best route to making enquiries.

By Andrea FERRARI