Sheedy promotes more AFL in Sydney schools

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  • Dave
    Let those truckers roll
    • Jan 2003
    • 1557

    Sheedy promotes more AFL in Sydney schools

    Now this I agree with!



    Good to see also that the AFL will be putting $3 million into AFL in Sth Africa to expand on the 1000 registered players they currently have.
    "My theory is that the universe is made out of stupidity because it's more plentiful than hydrogen" - Frank Zappa
  • OldE

    #2
    The South Africa thing is really interesting. Apparently AFL is being pushed as the "sport for the new South Africa" as it doesn't favour any racial or football background. A way to unite soccer players and rugby players.

    It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I smell a potential thesis topic.

    Comment

    • motorace_182
      On the Rookie List
      • Jan 2003
      • 961

      #3
      In the local area they have started up playing AFL in the PSSA... a massive step into the school system. Every Friday arvo kids from 8ish skools will play Aussie Rules. One of the schools in the Hills area, apparently, has ditched soccer and taken up AFL as its winter sport. Huge progress for Aussie Rules...
      - Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in a world they've been given, than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact, it's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration, it's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing!

      Comment

      • Sean
        On the Rookie List
        • Sep 2003
        • 327

        #4
        Originally posted by motorace_182
        One of the schools in the Hills area, apparently, has ditched soccer and taken up AFL as its winter sport. Huge progress for Aussie Rules...
        Aussie Rules is quite popular in that area isn't it? I know a few guys who went to school up there and they follow the AFL along with the usual sports like League & Union.

        How many schools in Sydney do actually have teams? It's be interesting to know. The school that I went to did have a team but that was driven by a few students who were into it rather than by the school. Can't remember them playing many games though because I don't think any other schools on the lower North Shore had teams.

        Anyway, Sheeds has got the right idea. The AFL can spend all the money they want on Auskick clinics but if the kids can't play it at school most won't continue with it.

        Comment

        • Dave
          Let those truckers roll
          • Jan 2003
          • 1557

          #5
          Originally posted by Sean
          Aussie Rules is quite popular in that area isn't it?
          It certainly is growing. My 5yr old plays U9's for Winston Hills and no doubt his younger (3yrs old ATM) brother will be having a crack when he gets old enough.

          That's why I get my back up when certain people on this site claim that there is no market west of Anzac Pde.
          "My theory is that the universe is made out of stupidity because it's more plentiful than hydrogen" - Frank Zappa

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          • j s
            Think positive!
            • Jan 2003
            • 3303

            #6
            How many Sydney public schools play organised team sport of any kind (other than swimming and athletics)? My understanding is it only happens if a teacher volunteers to take it on.

            There is no funding for sport in our public school system.

            Comment

            • Matt79
              Bring it on!
              • Sep 2004
              • 3143

              #7
              Originally posted by motorace_182
              In the local area they have started up playing AFL in the PSSA... a massive step into the school system. Every Friday arvo kids from 8ish skools will play Aussie Rules. One of the schools in the Hills area, apparently, has ditched soccer and taken up AFL as its winter sport. Huge progress for Aussie Rules...
              I can vouch for every word you said mate...it's all true!! I was the AFL convener for the Castle Hill PSSA area and worked with the AFL and a representative from Winston Hills AFL club in establishing the competition. It started for the first time last week with 8 schools participating and you are indeed right...one school dropped soccer to play AFL...SENSATIONAL!!

              My only regret, is I got a promotion and have moved to a different school in a different PSSA area but all is not lost as they play AFL in summer PSSA!!
              Swannies for life!

              Comment

              • Sean
                On the Rookie List
                • Sep 2003
                • 327

                #8
                Originally posted by Dave
                That's why I get my back up when certain people on this site claim that there is no market west of Anzac Pde.
                Yeah, I think there is a big market in many parts of Sydney. I used to work for an company in Epping that had around 200 staff. By far the dominant "code" was Aussie Rules and there were very few people from other states there - one Victorian that I knew of. There were about 10 Swans members and the talk on Monday was always about the footy. I actually only knew one person who was a big League fan and he had a good Aussie Rules knowledge anyway.

                I'm sure that's unusual but the interest is certainly out there. Get it into schools and it'll take over

                Comment

                • Sean
                  On the Rookie List
                  • Sep 2003
                  • 327

                  #9
                  Originally posted by j s
                  How many Sydney public schools play organised team sport of any kind (other than swimming and athletics)? My understanding is it only happens if a teacher volunteers to take it on.
                  Not sure. My school played Union, Soccer, Cricket, Baseball and a few other things (like Aussie Rules) but it was a relatively "rich" public school.

                  My brother's girlfriend is a PE teacher at Doonside and they actually play a lot of sports (not Aussie Rules) but they may be unusual due to the fact that the Head Mistress there believed sport was really important and constantly worked on getting funding.

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                  • nugget
                    On the Rookie List
                    • Feb 2004
                    • 72

                    #10
                    You are right that it does take commitment from a teacher to spend the time and also have an interest in Aussie Rules. My Mum is a primary school teacher and has convinced my brother to fit coaching their Aussie Rules team.

                    In the high school I went to we had no teacher interested enough to get a team running. After I left it became student driven and I went back to coach for a few games. We had very lttle support though.

                    Currently I live in London and there is quite a good league over here. Some excellent players from high level footy mixed with a minimum of half European players - many of a high standard. They also have a "touch" aussie rules comp over here to try and generate some further interest.

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                    • JF_Bay22_SCG
                      expat Sydneysider
                      • Jan 2003
                      • 3978

                      #11
                      Originally posted by nugget

                      Currently I live in London and there is quite a good league over here. also have a "touch" aussie rules comp over here to try and generate some further interest.
                      Are Poms seriously that wussy that they freak at the thought of a good hip & shoulder?!

                      Still here is their website.
                      Australian Rules Football has a captivating presence in England, where it thrives as both a cherished team sport and a captivating spectacle with a rich


                      JF
                      "Never ever ever state that Sydney is gone.They are like cockroaches in the aftermath of a nuclear war"
                      (Forum poster 'Change', Big Footy 04Apr09)

                      Comment

                      • ScottH
                        It's Goodes to cheer!!
                        • Sep 2003
                        • 23665

                        #12
                        Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
                        Are Poms seriously that wussy that they freak at the thought of a good hip & shoulder?!
                        They freak at the thought of creepy crawlies, so y not.

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                        • nugget
                          On the Rookie List
                          • Feb 2004
                          • 72

                          #13
                          It's actually a way to get first timers involved and while it's only "touch" there's still a fair amount of contact especially when going for a ball in dispute there's certainly no holding back then.

                          Comment

                          • footyhead
                            Banned indefinitely by Moderators for posting totally inappropriate material
                            • May 2003
                            • 1367

                            #14
                            Gotta love the Sheeds. I wish he was running the AFL.

                            They should have started targeting and sponsoring a number of secondary schools in Sydney years ago.

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