To coincide with Play AFL month there will be opportunities to meet, watch and play footy with some of the Sydney Swans’ biggest stars.
History will be made on February 20 when the Swans take on Carlton in the NAB Cup for the first ever elite AFL match to be held at Blacktown Olympic Park. Tickets to the historic event can be purchased through Rooty Hill RSL.
Swans’ coach Paul Roos is excited by the chance to play in Blacktown.
"We're proud to be making history by playing the first official AFL game at the new venue. As the pioneers of the code in Sydney, we love giving our fans as many opportunities as possible to see us play in our home town,’’ Roos said.
“It has been a long off-season and we are excited about getting out and playing and putting on a show for our supporters. The team is looking in great shape.
“It will also be a great chance to see some of the new faces we gained during the off-season in action and playing for the Swans,” Roos said.
During the month many junior clubs will hold registration days, and the Sydney Swans players will be dropping by schools and communities. The players are keen to have a kick with as many children as possible and will be attending junior AFL clubs throughout Sydney.
The visits, which will extend into March, are designed to help increase participation and awareness of AFL in schools and to assist with the promotion of local junior AFL clubs across Sydney.
The Swans will also take this opportunity to increase the Club's fan base with the promotion of its new "Red Rookie" junior fan development program.
AFL provides the perfect platform for people to get fit, meet new friends and to have some fun during winter. There are modified rules of the game to suit boys and girls five years and older, as well as a competitive open-age competition for adults. By registering at your local AFL club you can be one the 120,000 participants from NSW and the ACT who play the game each year. There is also the chance for some lucky children to run onto the SCG or ANZ Stadium during Sydney Swans games as part of the Auskick halftime program.
AFL isn’t just limited to players either. There are a number of opportunities for people to coach, umpire and to volunteer at their local club. Footy is a fantastic medium for families to come together and meet new people in their community. With a myriad activities happening both on and off the field there will be plenty going on during the season.
For more information on club registrations, AFL club visits and NAB Cup/Challenge games, visit www.aflnswact.com.au.
