AFL is gaining momentum as a sport at Glendowie College in Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs after completing two AFL New Zealand Secondary School programmes over the past twelve months.
The project is part of the KiwiSport initiative and is in partnership with Sport Auckland. AFL New Zealand continues to deliver Secondary School programmes to Auckland schools over the next two terms to achieve the outcomes of this project.
AFL New Zealand pathway for particpants within the project commences with the delivery of a selection of Secondary School programmes including taster sessions, opportunities to compete in school at class and house level and finally school representative opportunities. Outside of school time, opportunities continue with the pathway leading to the AFL New Zealand Youth Competition that runs from October to December each year. Further opportunities exist for participants to be selected in the AFL New Zealand Academy which focuses on improving the skills and fitness of athletes through use of a training and development programme. From the AFL New Zealand Academy, the next step is the selection process for National Representative teams, with the project producing seven students from the Auckland region who have completed the pathway and now represent their country in the sport of AFL.
Western Springs College student, James Dakin is one that has completed the pathway representing New Zealand at Academy Level 2 and U18 New Zealand. James is looking forward to his next challenge in the pathway getting his AFL Level 1 coaching qualification and coaching a Junior team in the Secondary School AFL Cup from Western Springs College.
The Introduction to AFL programme was delivered to over 800 students at three Auckland schools during the past twelve months with Glendowie, Selwyn and Western Springs Colleges all participating. Marist College students will also receive Introduction to AFL in Term 3.
Coming up in Term 3, all Glendowie College Year 9 students will participate in Introduction to AFL followed by a AFL House Rules. Glendowie Sport Coordinator, Jeremy Adams is excited about AFL House rules being played after the introduction sessions in term 3 that will lead into selection for their Junior AFL Cup teams, which takes place in Term 4. Community links have been secured with coaches from Auckland AFL Team University Blues that will be providing coaches for the tournament.
If you would like to find out more about how you can get your school involved in the project contact Mick Coultard, AFLNZ Youth and Female Development Manager at youth@aflnz.co.nz or 09 213 3251
