A super cool program calls for a superstar ambassador!

Australian rules superstar and icon of the game, Buddy Franklin, will help instil a love of footy into the next generation as the official ambassador for NAB AFL Superkick.

The dual premiership player and eight-time All Australian has teamed up with the AFL to support a range of game development initiatives, including its brand-new participation program for 8-12-year-olds, which aims to connect more children to footy.

NAB AFL Superkick – touted as the cool ‘older sibling’ of NAB AFL Auskick – has been specifically designed for children who are either looking to develop their footy skills or who are picking up a footy for the first time.

Delivered at the same location each week, the one-hour sessions are broken down into four quarters consisting of engaging skill games and activities (15 minutes) followed by match play (45 minutes).

NAB AFL Superkick is tackle-free, has smaller team sizes and a shorter season, providing the perfect introduction for new participants or pathway for continual play after the end of local club footy.

Since registrations for NAB AFL Superkick opened earlier this season, the program has now reached its first milestone, recording more than 10,000 registered participants across 364 Superkick Centres around the country.  

With nearly one quarter of these participants having a parent born overseas, NAB AFL Superkick is helping connect more people to the game and significantly contributed to the AFL’s new all-time registered participation record.

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AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, said appointing Franklin to help grow the game via game development initiatives including NAB AFL Superkick was an easy decision.

“We’re thrilled to have Lance on board as an ambassador for NAB AFL Superkick to help officially launch the program this year, and grow its visibility and popularity across the country,” Auld said.

“Lance not only achieved an incredible amount on the field during his career, but he also inspired a whole generation of young children, so to have him giving back to game development initiatives will help strengthen our foundation and grassroots.

“Pleasingly, participation in NAB AFL Superkick has started to jump, and we’re seeing the number of registrations continue to rise in all states and territories, especially in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

“A few weeks ago, we saw more than 3,000 participants take part in NAB AFL Superkick holiday clinics around Australia, while we had 160 participants at a single session in Auburn (NSW) where 77 per cent of players had a parent born overseas, hailing from 15 different cultures.

“In developing NAB AFL Superkick it was important to ensure the program was family friendly and easily accessible, so all venues are local, it’s tackle-free, affordable and simple to register.

“I’d like to thank NAB for their continual support and investment in our game. We know they have played a vital role in our NAB AFL Auskick program for almost two decades, and we’re thrilled this partnership now extends to our new Superkick format too.”

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On the Gold Coast to celebrate his new role as a NAB AFL Superkick ambassador and surprise 11-year-old Charley Biggins as the 10,000^th participant, Franklin said he was eager to play a role in growing the game.

“Footy has been a big part of my life, and I’m excited to team up with the AFL to help promote game development initiatives such as NAB AFL Superkick – it’s a great new program that kids will really enjoy,” Franklin said.

“The game is about more than kicking a footy and learning new skills, it’s about the connection with your community, making friends and having fun. It’s these experiences as I kid that I remember and why I want the next generation to love Aussie Rules.”

NAB Group Executive Les Matheson said NAB is pleased to expand its partnership with the AFL to launch this new program.

“We’re passionate about our role in helping to grow the game around Australia.

“We’re proud that our partnership with Superkick will give more opportunities for kids, coaches and communities to build connections through their love of footy.

“It’s great to see the first generation of Superkickers already lacing up their boots and kicking goals, alongside legends like Buddy.”

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NAB AFL Superkick registrations are now open for terms three and four – and just like Auskick, anyone can register!

For more information about NAB AFL Superkick visit: play.afl/superkick

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About NAB AFL Superkick

• – NAB AFL Superkick is the league’s new program that encourages more children to get involved and connect with Australian rules football.

• – NAB AFL Superkick invites all children aged 8-12 no matter their knowledge, skill or ability, to participate in the tackle-free program. 

• – In weekly sessions, kids focus on developing skills before putting them into action with modified match-play.

• – NAB AFL Superkick offers an inclusive environment for everyone to get involved, with optional ‘All Girls’ programs available.  

• – Upon signing up, all community Superkickers get an awesome pack filled with cool footy goodies not available anywhere else.

• – Visit play.afl/superkick for more details.

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