By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
The Keysborough Junior Football Club, the Kookaburras, have received an experience of a lifetime with the Essendon Football Club after working hard for their local community.
The Kookaburras spent a half day with the Bombers in a behind-the-scenes footy experience led by John Worsfold and the Essendon coaching staff.
Keysborough JFC won the Fox Footy Club Rewards day at the True Value Solar Centre for its inclusive and community spirited approach to local football.
The club has only recently started hosting teams in the Frankston District Junior Football League but has made a name for itself as a real community club.
The junior football club, with help from the seniors, has established clinics at the local Turkish school and other clinics at predominantly Asian schools in the area.
These clinics have given the club a chance to grow and recruit new players as well as give local kids the chance to try a new sport they may not have played before.
The Kookaburras also have and cater for children to play in the Under 9 side who have special needs or learning disabilities.
The Fox Footy Club Rewards is an initiative of Foxtel that supports and encourages beneficial behaviour by sports clubs in their community.
National Ambassador for the program and former St Kilda Football Club captain Danny Frawley said investing in local sports clubs strengthens communities.
“Local sporting clubs are at the heart of local communities all over Australia and it is fantastic to have an organisation such as Foxtel continue to invest at the level where it all begins for so many of our AFL players,” he said.
Michelle Pollard from Keysborough Junior Football Club said the club appreciated the support and recognition for its hard work.
“Our club is ecstatic to have been recognised,” she said.
“For us, it is testimony to a number of hard-working club members who strive to create a stable and inclusive club.”