Hillvue hosts AFL Camp

This article was first published at northerndailyleader.com.au
By Christopher Bath

Students at Hillvue Primary finished a six-week AFL development program with a game at the school to showcase their newly learnt skills.

North West Slopes junior AFL development officer Colin Moore was at the helm of the one-day-a-week clinics that were aimed at attracting more kids to the sport.

“The AFL has shifted their commitment levels to schools in the area hoping to get more registered to play,” Moore said.

Between 20 and 35 students attended the clinics each week with the Year 4 and 5 class making up the majority of the numbers.

The clinics start with the basics of the southern game, as many kids have never played before, and works up to the more intricate skills and tactics involved in the sport.

The first weeks look at the rules, then basic skills such as the warm-up, hand-balling, bounces, and obviously kicking goals and passing.

“We have had a great reaction from the kids; some of them love it,” Moore said. “You can definitely see some talent. Some of the kids that play league, rugby, and soccer can easily transition the skills to suit AFL.”

The program is run at different schools every year in a bid to get more teams in the local Paul Kelly Cup, and the Auskick program.

The Cup is played in March between schools with teams made up of the Year 5 and 6 classes.

Last year only Nemingha, St Ed’s, and St Nic’s were involved, although through this program Hillvue and Peel have already signed up for next year, and Moore is hoping for others.

The clinics are run for free and at the end of the six weeks the school is presented with two sets of posts, some balls and other equipment to help with the game.

Next Thursday will see a high school competition played at Farrer, with a school from Narrabri travelling across for the occasion.