New AFL Junior Pathway
From the Armidale Independent, 16/04/2008
A new pathway has been established for early teenage Australian footballers in Armidale.
This builds on the success of Armidale Auskick which, until now, has been limited to children aged 5-12 years of age. According to Cragi Collins, Auskick co-ordinator, the demand for creating a pathway forward has been overwhelming. “There is a pipeline effect where many of our older Auskickers want to keep playing the game as they become teenagers,” Collins said.
“As with the other Auskick centres in Tamworth and Inverell, we’re now extending to cater for 14 years and under. There is a lot of local interest and talent amongst that age-group and some of them have been playing football with us for three or four years now.
“We will be running training sessions on Thursdays from 4-5pm at Bellevue Oval, UNE starting on May 1 – separately from the regular Auskick sessions held for 5-12 year olds on Saturdays from 12noon. We also have a series of matches scheduled against a Tamworth 14s side.
The first of these will be played in Armidale on Saturday May 17, as part of an Auskick carnival involving players from Tamworth and Inverell.
“We also have a great coach for the new team, with Adrian Walsh taking up the helm. Adrian coached the senior Nomads in 2006-7 and has loads of experience to share with the up-and-comers,” he concluded.
Interested players should register for Auskick in the usual way at a cost of $60 per player. Registration forms are available at the Armidale branch of the National Australia Bank. For enquiries, please contact Craig or Marion Collins on 6772 4872 or at cwcmjs@aapt.net.au
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Independent
