The 2013 program was launched at Blundstone Arena on Wednesday with students from Gagebrook and East Derwent Primary Schools joining in a clinic with Clarence Football Club players.
With Aurora Energy’s role as an electricity retailer coming to an end this year, the long-running partnership between Aurora and AFL Tasmania will conclude in 2013, having reached more than 120,000 students across Tasmania since 1998.
“The Aurora Footy in Schools program has had an enormous impact over the past 15 years on both our sport and on communities throughout Tasmania by providing opportunities for so many primary school students to both learn about the game and be engaged in physical activity,” AFL Tasmania’s Community Football General Manager Nick Probert said.
Aurora Energy’s David Cornelius said current AFL stars Grant Birchall, Jack Reiwoldt, Jeremy Howe and Nathan Grima are among those Tasmanians currently playing in the AFL who have experienced the Aurora Footy in Schools program.
“Most of Tasmania’s current AFL players have been through the Aurora Footy in Schools Program as children, underlining the program’s statewide reach and impact,’’ he said.
“But for most of the boys and girls who take part in the clinics, it is about learning the skills with their friends and simply having a go.’’
Former Richmond footballer and Clarence Development Officer and player Jeromey Webberley is a great example of the impact and longevity of the program, having participated in it as a primary school student himself.
Not only did the program provide Jeromey with an opportunity to learn the game as a boy, but it is now also providing him with an opportunity to work full time in football as a deliverer of the program and to hand his knowledge on to the next generation of boys and girls in schools.
“I remember having the program come to my school at Campania and loving the chance to get outside and have kick, little did I realise at the time that I would end up having a career in football and deliver the program myself,” he said.
AFL Tasmania partners with the 10 Tasmanian State League clubs to deliver the Footy in Schools program.
Last Modified on 23/05/2013 12:41