On the Ball – club development newsletter

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AUSKICK MID-SEASON ENTRY ON NOW

It’s not too late to push for registrations for Auskick mid-season entry commencing from 19^th July onwards. Auskick mid-season is five weeks of Auskick for only $55. It’s a great chance to boost your current 2024 registrations and build your participant base towards a bigger and better 2025.

Easy ways to promote Auskick mid-season at your club:

• – Encourage your Auskickers to bring a friend the first week of ‘mid-season’
• – Share the above tile on your social media platforms
• – Check with your local participation coordinator what school promotions are booked in your club’s catchment area.

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HELP US HELP YOUR CLUB

We are on the hunt for enthusiastic and energetic individuals* who are keen to grow footy in your area! – whether they be players, volunteers, family members or friends outside of footy.

No AFL experience needed, and all training and equipment is provided. Your help in identifying potential staff means we can deliver more programs in your local area to support player recruitment and strengthen club communities. Share the application link below and join us in making a lasting impact on grassroots football.

*Please note that all applicants must be over the age of 18 years old.

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GAME CHANGERS

What is the Game Changing initiative or program your club is doing?

Put your club on the map by sharing your story & images via the link below and you could go into the draw to win one of x4 $250 Gift Vouchers per year.

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AFL WHEELCHAIR IS YOUR CLUB’S NEXT TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY 

With all the recent rain around, it’s a great time to consider alternative skill building opportunities for your teams. AFL Wheelchair teaches new skills and refines handball development in a fun and welcoming environment. There are hubs in Bankstown, Illawarra, Canberra and Wagga Wagga, and wheelchairs can be provided.

Contact khobi.devine@afl.com.au to nominate your club or find out more!

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UMPIRE LEAGUE LEADERS

A massive thank you to all our Community Football clubs across NSW/ACT which continue to support the recruitment of umpire across all our competitions. Have a look at the clubs that are leading the way, with having the greatest number of umpires registered to their clubs from across our NSW/ACT Community Football leagues. It’s never too late to become involved in Umpiring & support the growth of the game.

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OTHER RESOURCES

Social Media Digest: Sign up now

Get involved in the Play Bay: Contact AFL Fan Hub via adam.clough1@afl.com.au

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Help us improve, share your feedback here.

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NATIONAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS

The Toyota National Volunteer Awards are still open!
Nominate your favourite and most impactful volunteer today. Also, your nomination could go on to win one of two Toyota cars, plus heaps of other awesome prizes including an AFL Grand Final experience!

Entries close 5pm Monday, 8 July 2024 so get in as many times as you can and as quickly as you can!

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TRANSFER REQUEST WINDOW CLOSING 30 JUNE

A reminder to all Clubs and Players that the Transfer Request Window will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 30^th June 2024. After this time, transfer requests will be disabled in PlayHQ and Players will remain with their current or most recent Club for the remainder of the 2024 season. Players who have recently relocated and yet to register with their new local club must do so this week before the window closes.

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JUNIOR & YOUTH GIRLS UNIFORM GRANT

The AFL in conjunction with Fanatics, are happy to announce that Grants are now available to support inclusion in community football by enabling leagues, clubs and umpire associations to provide suitable uniforms for junior and youth girls.

This may include:

✨ Replacing white shorts with a suitable alternative for junior & youth girls’ teams, or;

✨ Purchasing of appropriate uniforms that are made specifically for girls (i.e. female cuts)

Applications ARE NOW OPEN and close 11:59pm AEST on the 30th of June 2024.

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GAME CHANGERS

What is the Game Changing initiative or program your club is doing?

Put your club on the map by sharing your story and images via the link below and you could go into the draw to win one of x4 $250 Gift Vouchers per year.

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WOMENS & GIRLS COACHING SESSIONS WITH SWANS & GIANTS AFLW

As part of the AFLW Community Camp, the Swans and GIANTS will also hold coaching sessions at various locations in NSW and ACT. These sessions will feature Swans and GIANTS coaching staff and players, including GIANTS star defender and accredited Level 3 coach, Katherine Smith at EPC Solar Park (ACT) on 4 July. The three types of coaching sessions are exclusively available for women and girls looking to develop their skills in coaching.

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COMMUNITY FOOTBALL FACILITIES FUND BUILDS MOMENTUM

Both Gungahlin Jets Football Netball Club and Belconnen Cats Football Club have been successful in receiving funding for planning projects via the ACT Community Football Facilities (CFFF) program.

Gungahlin Jets Football Netball Club – Will receive $26,050 towards a new proposed pavilion) at Amaroo Reserve, whilst the Belconnen Cats – Will receive $22,250 towards the development of a Venue Improvement Plan for Aranda Ovals.

The Jets are thankful for the efforts of AFL NSW ACT in helping us realise our potential in the north of Canberra…. Essentially, our facilities development is key to the continued growth of our club – across all ages, teams, levels and backgrounds. – WG Cooper, President Gungahlin Jets

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PHASES OF THE GAME MASTERCALSS – STARTS 24 JUNE

Get involved in this high-level detail, phases of the game series, facilitated by Sydney Swans Assistant Coach, Mark McVeigh. Sharing his wealth of the game with a three-part online series followed by an in-person masterclass for coaches wanting to elevate their knowledge of the game and take their team to a higher level.

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AFL PLAY EVENT KIT

A great new way to engage a broad audience and attract new fans, the AFL PLAY kit is now being rolled out across Greater Sydney! Using the bright PLAY green, the PLAY Kit features a jump test, for athletes young and old to test their skills, a chill out zone with AFL23 on PlayStation, as well as chances to win merch and ticket discounts!

Got an event coming up? The PLAY KIT may be the best way to generate broad appeal and show fans and athletes the Different Ways to Play. Contact Adam Clough – adam.clough1@afl.com.au

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UMPIRE LEAGUE LEADERS

A massive thank you to all our Community Football clubs across NSW/ACT, that continue to support the recruitment of umpire across all our competitions. Have a look at the clubs that are leading the way, with having the greatest number of umpires registered to their clubs from across our NSW/ACT Community Football leagues. It’s never too late to become involved in Umpiring & support the growth of the game.

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OTHER RESOURCES

Social Media Digest: Sign up now

Get involved in the Play Bay: Contact AFL Fan Hub via adam.clough1@afl.com.au

Conflict Management Webinar Watch Recording here

Visit play.afl for a range of resources and information!

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Help us improve, share your feedback here.

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JUNIOR & YOUTH GIRLS UNIFORM GRANT

The AFL in conjunction with Fanatics, are happy to announce that Grants are now available to support inclusion in community football by enabling leagues, clubs and umpire associations to provide suitable uniforms for junior and youth girls.

This may include:

✨ Replacing white shorts with a suitable alternative for junior & youth girls’ teams, or;

✨ Purchasing of appropriate uniforms that are made specifically for girls (i.e. female cuts)

Applications ARE NOW OPEN and close 11:59pm AEST on the 30th of June 2024. Head to play.afl/uniform-grants to learn more and apply.

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INCLUSION TRAINING HUB ARE HERE!

AFL NSW/ACT is excited to be running training hub opportunities for people aged 16 years and older living with a disability. These hubs are running across the State and we are inviting all athletes interested to express their interest to be involved. These hubs will also act as selection trials for our NSW/ACT Inclusion Rams who will be heading off to compete in the 2024 Toyota AFL National Disability Inclusion Carnival.

Please share this with your networks to support us in attracting the best talent in the State. Click here for more – https://prenov2024.aflnswact.com.au/afl-national-inclusion-carnival/

We’re also on the look out for coaches! If you know anyone interested, we’d love to hear from them! More info here.

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GREATER SYDNEY ACADEMY HEADS TO MELBOURNE

Melbourne is a long way from Western Sydney. For the players of the Greater Sydney Football Academy, it may as well have been another world.

Congratulations to the Parramatta Goannas for their efforts in establishing this initiative, giving up-and-coming talents a taste for what football looks like in its epicentre and encouraging them along the pathway to the AFL.

Click here to check out the highlights

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LOOKING TO IMPROVE YOUR CLUB’S SOCIAL MEDIA?

Sign up for the AFL NSW/ACT Social Media Digest for a monthly dose of social media inspiration, packed with resources, educational tools, important updates, content ideas, and more!

Sign up now

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Click here to check out the highlights

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BOOK A COACH DEVELOPER NOW!

AFL NSW/ACT Coach Developers role is designed to support and oversee the growth and development of individual coaches and enhance the overall coaching expertise of each club coach.

Having a Coach Developer come and work with your club is free and will significantly impact the enjoyment and development of community club coaches, players, and officials.

Book in a coach developer

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TALK MORE PLAY BETTER – GET AHEAD OF THE GAME

Footy is at its best when we all have each other’s backs – on and off the field. The AFL with Movember brings to life Ahead of the Game, a free youth mental health program for community football clubs. The program uses sport – delivered at training, to connect with players, umpires, parents, coaches and volunteers how to talk about mental health, promote resilience and wellbeing. It includes interactive workshops and materials for community teams and their support networks.

Sign up now

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DINGOES DESCEND ON PLAY BAY!

The Southern Dingoes were the highlight of a wet night ENGIE Stadium in Round 10 when the GIANTS took on the Bulldogs, showing their support for the game’s finest flag bearers, the umpires!

Cheering on their juniors from the Cronulla AFC Auskick centre at half-time from the PLAY Bay, the Dingoes mantra of mateship was on full display.

Want to share in the unique experience of the AFL PLAY Bay with your club?   Find out more – email nswfan@afl.com.au

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OTHER RESOURCES

Social Media Digest: Sign up now

Office of the Children’s Guardian WWCC Webinar: Watch Recording here

Conflict Management Webinar Watch Recording here

Visit play.afl for a range of resources and information!

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NATIONAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Nominations are now open across Australia for the 2024 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards, with local clubs and leagues encouraged to recognise valued members of the community.

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UPDATED INJURY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS

With the community football season underway for most leagues, it is a great time for clubs and administrators to familiarise themselves with the new updated Injury Management Standards for Community Football with support resources available to assist with injury management and concussion management in Community Football.

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WOMEN AND GIRLS CHARTER

The AFL Women & Girls Community Football Best Practice documents are now live at Women & Girls – Play AFL.

The AFL Women & Girls Community Football Best Practice documents have been developed to provide clarity and guidance to community leagues and community clubs on the delivery of community football competitions and involvement in community football clubs.

These documents replace the previous AFL National Female Community Football Guidelines.

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MATCH DAY RESOURCES – CONDUCT CARDS

Perfect for last minute Volunteers on Match Days, download, print and laminate these Conduct Cards to help your match day helpers understand their role in a few dot points.

Access here: Conduct Cards

Printing Instructions: to be printed double sided and flipped on the short edge.

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OTHER RESOURCES

Social Media Digest: Sign up now

Office of the Children’s Guardian WWCC Webinar: Watch Recording here

Conflict Management Webinar Watch Recording here

Visit play.afl for a range of resources and information!

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