Fitness, fun and friends

Since marrying a man from Adelaide 24 years ago, Channel 7 host Kylie Gillies has been mad about AFL.

The Sydney Swans and Play AFL ambassador has followed the red and white side for years and her two sons now play AFL with the Drummoyne Power in Sydney’s inner west.

Gus Gilles, 10, and brother Archie, 8, were like any young kids growing up, wanting to play what their friends did.

“When we had kids, the kids wanted to play soccer,” she said.

“When they’re five and in kindergarten, that was what all their friends were playing but they saw how passionate we were about the Swans and we used to go to Swans games.

“After a certain point it didn’t matter what their friend’s played, they wanted to play AFL.

“So they made the switch of their own volition, we gave them the choice and said, ‘What do you want to play?’ and they said they wanted to play AFL.

“We’re now recruiting some of their friends who want to play AFL.”

Playing footy in their local community, Kylie said the environment of the football club gave their whole family the chance to make new friends.

“My favourite thing is just seeing them out there having fun with their mates,” she said.

“They have a couple of their school friends involved but because it’s an entirely different bunch of kids too.

“That’s what I really enjoy, getting to know some of the other mums and other kids that aren’t necessarily part of the school circle, really embracing the wider community which has been a really nice thing.

“The end of year barbeque we had for Gus’ team last year we held at our house because we’ve really come quite close to everyone and really enjoy spending time with each other.”

For busy parents looking to make the switch to AFL, Kylie has a simple message:

“If the kids show an interest in it, do it!” she said.

“Sometimes as mums and dads we’re all really busy and taking time to change a code might seem overwhelming and you think, ‘Where do I start?’ but I think the message would be, just head to the website and find your local club, it’s really, really easy.”

Kylie has seen her local club grow and as her kids have embraced AFL and she has enjoyed being a footy mum, so too have more and more kids and their parents.

“One thing my kids are saying is that there are more and more kids at their school joining up and becoming interested in it,” she said.

“They just love the game, our local footy club is so well run and they’re making new friends and learning great skills and having fun.

“Basically it’s about having fun – the Drummoyne Power’s motto is fitness, fun and friends and that’s really what it’s all about.”

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