HORSHAM will host its first regional Kickstart and All Nations trial day on February 8 at City Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
AFL Wimmera-Mallee development manager Jason Muldoon said it was not something that had been done in the area in the past.
“Last year we had a few Kickstart boys travel down to Ballarat to take part,” he said.
“So there is a bit of interest in Horsham and hopefully we can capture some of those players who are keen to try out.
“There has been some great indigenous players that have come from the Wimmera.”
The program provides interested indigenous players with more of an opportunity to take their game to the next level, including representing the state in indigenous teams.
“There have been some great great role models that have come through the program from the area,” Muldoon said.
“Jacob Cooke-Harrison had the opportunity to represent the Flying Boomerang squad.”
The trial day also caters to players born overseas who live in the Wimmera.
“There is plenty of examples through the AFL of players from different cultures coming to Australia and impacting the sport,” Muldoon said.
“They can also be excitement machines. Majak Daw is a prime example of that.”
Muldoon said the sport had to be proactive in order to introduce migrants to the game.
“Obviously there is a bigger pool to draw from in the city areas,” he said.
“As more people migrate to Australia they will spread further into the country areas and we need to engage them in the sport.
“A lot of the internationals have grown up playing sports like soccer so already have the ball sport skills.
“But when it comes to Australian Rules they are a blank canvas and that can be great.”
Muldoon will run the trial day with help from former AFL footballers David Rodan and Aaron Davey.
The program is open to players born in 2002 or 2003.
Participants are asked to bring runners and meet at the netball courts for a 4.30pm start.
Contact Muldoon on 0417 133 990 for more information.