By Cam Lucadou-Wells
For some Doveton College students, it was their first touch of an Aussie Rules football – and it was intoxicating.
Brownlow medallist Simon Black and players at his Simon Black Academy won over the students during a football clinic on 27 July.
Many of the kids – from all corners of the world – hadn’t been to an AFL game or seen it on TV, Doveton College community engagement coordinator Alan McCarthy said.
“They loved it. It’s given a buzz all around the school for the past week.
“It’s amazing once you give someone a football and give them the basics of how to kick it and mark it, they want to get involved and try new things.”
Mr McCarthy said it made a “nonsense” of the belief that new-arrived students only liked soccer and basketball.
“Just get out a bat and ball, or a football, and see how they get involved.”
The death of junior Aussie-Rules clubs in the region was reversible. It just required clubs to come to the kids, not the other way around, Mr McCarthy said.
Recently, Melbourne Football Club gave away scores of free tickets to Casey students to its recent clash with St Kilda.
The Demons will also soon hold a ‘Melbourne Experience’ footy clinic for boys and girls at the college.
