Following the ANZAC Day AFL match, Wellingtonians were provided with the opportunity to Have a Go at AFL at two fun events.
The first was held at the Basin Reserve on the Saturday following the match, with the second being held at Hutt Park in conjunction with the New Zealand Hawks v South Pacific match on the 27th of April.
The crowd numbers fluctuated over the course of both events, but overall hundreds of Wellingtonians attended the AFL New Zealand Have a Go Days.
Resources for the events were generously provided by Sport Wellington, to supplement those provided by AFL New Zealand.
With players from the St Kilda Saints, New Zealand Hawks and South Pacific in attendance at the Basin Reserve, fans also had an opportunity to meet the players, take photographs with them and talk football.
It was clear from the reaction of locals to the Saints that Wellingtonians are beginning to adopt the team as their own, and are looking forward to seeing them again next year.
AFL New Zealand staff were on hand running a number of modules, designed to teach skills in an easy and fun manner. Stations were set up for handballing, drop punting and marking.
Participants were also given the opportunity to play AFL KiwiKick and AFL 9s, a great experience that many eagerly took up.
Getting players into the game as quickly as possible was the priority, and as such an AFL New Zealand staff member was on hand to give new players a quick rundown of the rules, before handing them a singlet and sending them in.
For many, a big drawcard was the opportunity to enter the competition currently running to win a trip to see the St Kilda Saints play the Gold Coast Suns in the Gold Coast. After a taste of top level AFL, new fans clearly want the opportunity to see more.
For those who enjoyed playing AFL KiwiKick and AFL 9s, the next big opportunity will be the opening of Play AFL Clubs, scheduled for later this year.
Play AFL Clubs offer the opportunity for all to get involved with competitions and games of AFL. All can participate, regardless of age or ability.
