As a key component of engaging young children and increasing participation of AFL football within the Melton area, the Riddell District Football Netball League commenced a midweek Under 9’s competition last Wednesday night at Arnolds Creek Reserve in West Melton.
The first week of fun and participation was a resounding success with several hundred people in attendance. All four clubs (Melton, Melton South, Melton Centrals and Eynesbury) fielded full teams and with games played under lights at Arnolds Creek, provided the perfect environment for both players and families to enjoy their football.
This competition is being created to help provide another football participation and development opportunity for children and is primarily catering to first year or entry level children currently playing under 10 football and children in Auskick centres who are not yet playing competitively, but who will desire to do so in 2017.
Games are played under the same modified rules as an Under 10 competition and the competition will run for a further 5 weeks concluding on Wednesday 24th August.
AFL Goldfields Football Development Manager Grant McMillan indicated that it would look to build on the success of the competition. “The support from the participating clubs has been outstanding in getting this competition up and running. I spoke with numerous parents on the night and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many felt that the competition filled that gap between Auskick and going straight into an Under 10 competition and allowed their children to participate at a very suitable level. Many people even remarked to me that kids who may normally not touch the football in club games, were being able to get more involved in the Under 9 games and build their confidence and enjoyment. Our aim is to expand this competition in 2017 and also to duplicate this concept across other areas of the Goldfields region. I’m really looking forward to this competition being a great starting point to help increase participation of AFL football in Melton”.
Please contact the Riddell District Football Netball League on (03) 8746 2924 should you have any further questions.
Last Modified on 25/07/2016 13:06