AFL Kiwikick is back in full swing across the Auckland region and the programme is booming. So far in 2026, AFL New Zealand has engaged more than 8,000 students across 34 Auckland schools.
Auckland Participation Coordinator Namra Syed has led the charge in redeveloping the AFL Kiwikick programme. Since joining AFL New Zealand in late 2025, Namra has focused on making AFL accessible to young people by creating fun, inclusive environments where kids build confidence, learn new skills, and develop a lifelong love of being active. Just as importantly, she has invested heavily in building strong relationships with schools, teachers, whānau, and local communities, creating trusted partnerships that have helped drive the programme’s rapid growth across Auckland.
“I’ve always believed that grassroots sport has the power to make a real difference in a child’s life,” says Namra. “It’s about creating a safe, inclusive space where every child feels like they belong, builds confidence, makes friends, and enjoys being active. Building genuine relationships with schools and communities has been just as important—those connections are what make programmes like this sustainable.”
A key driver has been the redesigned in-school delivery model, with schools now taking part in a three-session programme, giving students more time to build skills and confidence. “Once children are given the chance to properly experience AFL, the game really speaks for itself,” Namra says.
That momentum has flowed into the AFL Kiwikick after-school programme, now running across multiple Auckland centres including West Auckland and the North Shore. The five-week programme teaches kids the skills and fun of AFL in a safe environment, with every participant receiving a ball and bag to keep playing at home.
“Our after-school programmes give children another opportunity to stay active and be part of a positive sporting environment,” Namra says. “Seeing schools, families and local communities embrace AFL has been incredibly rewarding, and those relationships have played a huge role in helping the programme continue to grow.”
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