AFL 9s takes a trip to the beach

Redhead Beach in the Hunter Region has its first taste of AFL football last week as players and parents took to the sand to participate in the first ever beach AFL 9s competition in NSW/ACT.

The competition is run by the Warners Bay Bulldogs, led by Juniors President Julie Ferguson, who has had great support from their junior players. She has also been assisted by the Lake Macquarie Dockers who have entered a team.

The competition is for boys and girls, nine years and older, and is a great way to work up some fitness and skills as the start of the footy season draws near.

Excited to see how AFL 9s would be played on the beach, AFL NSW/ACT staff Craig Golledge (Hunter Regional Co-Coordinator), Andrew Knott (Participation Manager NSW/ACT), Emma Collyer (AFL 9s Program Manager NSW/ACT) and Simon Smyth (Manager – Hunter/Central Coast) were all in attendance.

“The Hunter region is very proud of two things; their sport and their beaches,” Golledge said.

“Beach 9s bring both worlds together and it is great to see it become such a success.”

Collyer was delighted with how the first night turned out.

“Sun, sand and AFL 9s, Is there honestly a better way to spend a Thursday evening?” Collyer said.

“The first game of AFL 9s at the beach in NSW was a great experience for all involved and really displayed the essence of what this social game is all about.

“The turnout was fantastic and both the kids and parents were having a great time.

“I am excited to see how this develops over the next five weeks.”

Playing on the sand added a new dimension to the game and seeing the ‘big sticks’ set up on the beach made for a wonderful visual promotion of AFL 9s, so much so that one onlooker even enquired about playing AFL during the season with Warners Bay.

The competition runs until February 28 with games played at 5:30pm on Thursdays at Redhead Beach.

Teams can still register for the remaining weeks of the competition. For more information, visit www.afl9s.com.au