Australian Football is a unique code of football totally unlike soccer. Played on fields almost twice the size of soccer (approximately 180 x 140 metres) it consists of two teams of 18 players. There is no off-side rule, so players are spread out all over the playing field, both in defence, the midfield and in their own scoring area. The game is an all-encompassing sport, involving elements of many sports including soccer, basketball and volleyball. All players must be well adept at all skills and roles of the game.
Known as Aussie Rules or footy throughout Australia, children have always played the game and up until the early 1990s played the same version as the adults. In an effort to better teach the skills and rules of the game, the AFL started modifying the children's game. These modifications evolved into Auskick, a professionally organised, step by step, six to eight week course that has a high emphasis on skill development, safety, good sportsmanship, parental/volunteer involvement and most of all, fun.
Auskick is a comprehensive series of structural skill development drills and games. To ensure maximum player participation, games are played on reduced size fields, with smaller player numbers. Multiple games of smaller numbers are preferred to one larger game. This helps to ensure everyone becomes involved and avoids "on field" spectators. Auskick is hoped to be the catalyst to launch this exciting new sport in the UK.
Auskick is a six to eight week course that is designed to teach the skills and rules of Australian Football. Broken up into four age groups starting as young as five, the games and drills are designed relative to a child’s age and personal development. Many of these games and drills can be easily converted to help in the teaching of other sports. You will find them a valuable tool in the battle to fight childhood obesity.
A key component of the program is the Auskick philosophy, which is for the game to:
All children that participate in a Auskick course receive this great Auskick pack, valued at over £30. The pack includes:
Each week, a different item is given to the children.
Auskick has quickly established itself as the premier children’s program in Australia. A key factor of this is its involvement of parents, who are encouraged to learn with and instruct their children on the game, regardless of their prior knowledge. This ensures that parents are actively involved in their child’s development, both socially and in a sporting sense. Most of all, they are out there having fun with their kids.
Auskick has grown into a huge community social event during the winter months in Australia, with some centers having over 200 registered participants. It is Aussie Rules UK's goal to see a similar benefit to local communities here in the UK.
If you'd like to introduce Aussie Rules into your school you can purchase our "Coaches Pack" to get started. Lesson plans will soon be added to this site to take you through every step of teaching this great game and remember, we are always here to help you so don't hesitate to call or email us with any queries.
