Surf and Footy’s Up!
Surfing, swimming, sandcastles and sun-baking have forever been associated with the beach, but that’s all changing with Australian Football now being the latest fun activity to play under the summer sun.
On Sunday, Sydney Swans young gun and Play AFL ambassador Kieren Jack attended the first ever AFL match played on the beach – with 500 budding nippers from Queenscliff Surf Club. The event was made possible by Stoke Drift, the company that provides surfing lessons for the Surf Club’s young nippers, and their willingness to provide the nippers with an alternate sporting option, as the younger nippers have limited access to the water due to safety constraints.
With Jack in attendance, he was able to run alternate AFL-specific activities young nippers can play on the sand – including kicking, handballing and marking games.
The skills involved in AFL build on what nippers are currently developing. It is hoped in time, Australian Football will become a regular component of weekly nippers with a match to follow at the end of each session.
Both nippers and AFL share the philosophy that kids sport is about maximum participation and fun, making this the ideal partnership.
Jack, who grew up on Sydney’s north shore, was the perfect ambassador to talk to the young nippers about the opportunities to get involved in AFL this year with local club, the Manly Bombers.
The Bombers were there on the day signing up any young, enthusiastic nipper wanting to have a kick of the Sherrin this year.
Australian Football is growing in momentum on the northern beaches with participation rates booming and talented footballers identified through the Sydney Swans Academy.
Last year, a new version of the game was launched in Manly, AFL 9s, which is a modified, non-contact, social alternative played on smaller rectangular fields.
By partnering with Surf Clubs on the northern beaches there are now opportunities for matches to be scheduled on the beach after work. There will be nothing quite like it.
Pictures from the day:
