Armidale juniors feature in Swans v Dockers match
From the Armidale Express, 06/07/2007
Nine Armidale Auskickers will get the rare chance of running onto the Sydney Cricket Ground during half-time of the Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers AFL match on Sunday.
The Armidale team will play an Auskick match against another Auskick clinic from northern NSW.
Craig Collins, Armidale co-ordinator, says that for many of the kids this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“The kids get tremendously excited in the build-up to the game,” he said.
“They get a glimpse of Australian football from behind the scenes as well as the chance to perform out on the ground in front of a massive crowd.
“Seeing the game played live by their footy heroes also adds a dimension which cannot be matched through watching the game on television.
“We’re especially looking forward to seeing Swans players Heath Grundy and Matty O’Dwyer in action after their visit up here to run a clinic in Armidale a few weeks ago.
“The day will be extra special because three Swans have major milestones, with Spider Everitt playing his 300th AFL game, Adam Goodes breaking the Swans club record number of matches (261) and Michael O’Loughlin playing his 200th game.”
Another Armidale Auskicker, 10-year-old Henry Page, had a special experience of his own last weekend in Brisbane.
After participating in a training clinic held prior to the nail-biting Brisbane Lions game against Port Adelaide Power, Page was named ‘Lions Junior Puma’ of the training clinic.
As a reward, he won a football signed by the Brisbane players and had his named flashed up in lights on the Gabba electronic scoreboard.
“These sorts of experiences really get the kids excited about playing Australian football and focused on developing their skills. It also creates a buzz around our wider playing group,” Collins said.
Armidale SCG team: Cody Bourke, Will Brissett, Ben Collins, Jordan Johnson, Harrison Lawlor, Shae Leske, Madison Moar, Madeline Murphy and Andrew Spokes.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express
