Kids flock to Swans throughout the North West

More than 1,500 school aged children engaged with the gospel of AFL across the five days that Sydney Swans players were in the North West region, and the message that the players gave was extremely well received.

AFL players Sam Wicks and Jacob Konstanty were involved in 14 sessions during the Community Camp, while AFLW player Alice Mitchell took part in a further four sessions to promote the game and drive recruitment into Auskick and club footy. The interest and enthusiasm for footy was not only evident but made a strong impression on the elite players.

“As role models, it’s a great opportunity to give back and get kids involved in the sport that we love. If we can get out and share that with them, it’s great,” said 39 game player Sam Wicks.

Alice Mitchell was equally as enthusiastic about the growth of the game in the region.

“The amount of Youth Girls that are now getting involved is really promising. We’ve got a Youth Girls competition starting, which is great, so seeing the numbers getting to that and how many girls are keen to come to training every week is exciting,” said the former Gunnedah Poochette.

With over 1,100 students interacting with the players through school assemblies, more than 300 joining in at in-school sessions, and a further 150 coming along to club based come and try sessions, all markers are pointing to a successful AFL North West Junior Competition in 2023. And with more than 30 girls coming along to dedicated girls only sessions, at least three clubs are planning to field teams in the Youth Girls competition.

The first bounce of the AFL North West Junior Competition is still a month and a half away, so there’s plenty of time and opportunity for players to try AFL and learn the skills of the game. To find your closest footy club please go to play.afl/play/club-finder/.