Aussie Rules (AFL) for kids in New South Wales

Information on Aussie Rules for kids in New South Wales

Get your kids to enjoy a good game of footy!

Australian football (AFL) or more commonly known as Aussie rules or footy, is a widely loved sport in Australia that involves two teams of 18 players playing against each other on the field. The main objective of this sport is to move the ball downfield towards the opposing team’s goal posts and strike it through to score. Aussie rules is a contact sport which requires its players to use any part of their body, with the exception of their hands, to manoeuvre the ball throughout the game.

Why play Aussie Rules in New South Wales?

Aussie rules was widely promoted in the early history of Australia with the use of major and minor grounds. The great number of NSW teams originating from the state proves the passion for the sport. Such teams are: East Coast Eagles, Pennant Hills Demons, and UNSW Bulldogs. Presently, New South Wales has several pre-season venues used for competitions found everywhere in the state. You may bring your kids to watch these AFL games to bond with your children and to also acquaint them to the sport. Venues such as the Newcastle Number 1 Sports Ground and the North Sydney Oval were used to host the Regional Challenge stage of the AFL pre-season competition. Some of New South Wales’ AFL clubs include the Sydney Swans and the Queanbeyan Tigers and one of the most notable AFL players hailing from the state is Gerard Healy. With state that is abundant for passion for this sport, AFL for kids in New South Wales is a perfect venue to get your kids into enjoying this sport!

Get your kids to start early on Aussie Rules

The ideal age to start playing the sport is at 5 years of age. It is the perfect time you can start intruding your child to various kids activities. The Australian Football League has made this the minimum age policy for kids to play competitive Aussie rules. Introducing your kid into playing Aussie rules is a great way to encourage them into playing outdoor team sports and teaching them the value of sportsmanship. Since Aussie rules is a team sport, it also improves their social skills. There is no better way to develop those skills other than by letting them interact with other kids who are also into Aussie rules. Sports for kids are perfect to improve their health and develop skills that they can use in the long run. These are called transferable life skills.

• These are the skills that your kid can develop and learn from playing Aussie rules:



 
• Confidence
  Confidence is developed in kids through their focus and effort in a game. Challenging situations in a sport will help enable them to cope with these situations.
   
• Health
  Just like any sport, your kids’ fitness is improved by improving balance and coordination. It also promotes the healthy grown of bones, ligaments, and muscles. It increases cardiovascular activity in the body and will reduce the risk of obesity.
   
• Teamwork
  Playing in a team sport activity, especially contacts sports, will help your kid hone their interpersonal skills. Interacting with kids their age will give them an environment that will exercise their cooperation and leadership skills while having fun.

At the age 3, you can already introduce your child to the sport. Since it is a team-driven activity, parents can slowly encourage their toddlers to enjoy it by introducing it to them through a casual family play day. Aussie rules coaching is available within the area and the cost for lessons is not that expensive since you only need a field and a ball to play.Typical session go for $80 a day. These run through weekdays on school terms or weekend mornings. Coaches for these courses are accredited by certified organizations and are trained through the NSW Premier or Super Leagues.

To know more about AFL venues, AFL events, and other recreational activities for kids, you may check our ActiveActivities Directory for a reliable list of venues affiliated with AFL clubs within New South Wales. Show your children how to have a good time by playing footy!