The NAB AFL Auskick program gets kids and their parents involved in footy and has been the starting point for many of the Sunshine Coast’s talented footballers.
Brightwater NAB AFL Auskick definitely has potential to uncover that talent with 35 plus kids descending on the school oval on Wednesday afternoons.
At a glance there are school shirts and the occasional casual shirt but standing out every week is one Sydney Swans enthusiast who wears his colours with pride.
Tyler Engellenner-Cronk is participating in his first ever NAB AFL Auskick bouncing around the field letting all the kids know about his team colours and why “the Swans are the best team ever.”
Chatting further with Tyler, and a quick Google search to confirm later, the reason for his passionate following of the Swans is a family affair.
Tyler’s great-grand father played 30 games with the South Melbourne Swans from 1941 to 1945.
David Engellenner was a light-weight midfielder weighing in at 68kg debuting as a 22 year-old at Albert Park and was unlucky to miss out on the 1945 Grand Final verse Carlton that resulted in nine players being reported and the Blues victorious by 28 points.
The South Melbourne Swans relocated to New South Wales in 1982 becoming the first AFL Club outside of Victoria.
Keen to make his great-grand father proud, Tyler is flying the ‘Bloods’ flag at Brightwater and will no doubt get a few of his mates over the line when it comes to picking an AFL team.
Tyler’s mum, Ashley, said that he is a footy fanatic and watching the Swans on TV is the highlight of this week when the games are broadcast.
“He loves watching the Swans on TV and he loves commenting on his favourite Swans even though he hasn’t quiet got his head around some of the names,” Ms Engellenner said.
“We all enjoy our footy and it is great that Tyler is old enough to get involved in Auskick and who knows maybe even one day play for the Swans too.”
If you wish to sign up for NAB AFL Auskick head to www.aflauskick.com.au
Last Modified on 24/09/2014 10:48