The opening round of the AFL Brisbane Juniors season last month saw three Brisbane clubs compete for the first time.
The rise in popularity and participation numbers has called for new clubs to emerge in The Gap, Park Ridge and Moggill. With all clubs making a successful start to the season, AFL QueenslandâÂÂs Game Development Operations Manager Brad Reid is impressed with the progress made so far.
âÂÂThis is a wonderful example of development staff working in partnership with schools and community members to bring about a greater capacity to deliver our game and more opportunities for coaches, volunteers and children to participate.â Mr Reid said.
âÂÂFor the growth of Australian Football across Queensland, it is vital that AFL Queensland works closely with our communities to strategically place and support the introduction of new clubs so that more opportunities can be provided for children to participate.âÂÂ
The Park Ridge Pirates have enjoyed tremendous support in their debut season with strong registration numbers enabling the club to field two under 8âÂÂs teams, one team in both the under 9âÂÂs and 10âÂÂs as well as an under 15 youth girls team.
Playing out of the Bellbowrie Sports and Recreation club, the Moggill Mustangs will have an under 8âÂÂs and under 10âÂÂs competing and The Gap Dragons will be based at Hilder Road State School and, as with Moggill, have teams playing in both the under 8âÂÂs and under 10âÂÂs.
With the lack of green space in and around Brisbane for our existing clubs to grow, the need to either share space with other sporting organisations or develop partnerships with schools has become a priority. AFL Queensland Community Development Manager David OâÂÂLeary is happy with the assistance provided by local schools to help develop new clubs.
âÂÂIt is pleasing to receive the support of School Principals with this strategy and we would hope this will continue in regions where available and accessible open space is at a premium.âÂÂ
The development in these areas sees the number of clubs affiliated with the AFL Brisbane Juniors now reach a total of 41. AFL Queensland will look to develop more new clubs in 2010, with several growth areas and some established areas yet to have local clubs.
Last Modified on 17/09/2009 14:36