The recently formed Redlands satelite club - Redland Bay Tiger Sharks have installed permanent goal posts at their home ground with the assistance of a fantastic funding partnership.
The Brisbane Lions, AFL Queensland, the Redland City Council and the AFL have all contributed to the installation of goalposts at the Redland Bay State School which is currently the home ground for the club.
The Strategic Partnership Fund is an initiative of the AFL and the Brisbane Lions to give schools an opportunity to have AFL as a long-term presence as well increasing the facilities available for those participating throughout the State.
AFL Queensland CEO Richard Griffiths is pleased to see the scheme has allowed for another club to take advantage of the continued interest in the game.
âIt is an investment into the future of the game in Queensland and we are starting to see the results in the participation numbers for all age groups,â Mr Griffiths said.
âBy giving clubs the necessary tools such as goalposts to set themselves up, the ongoing development of junior AFL will continue.â
Councillors Toni Bowler and Barbara Townsend contributed to the partnership via the Councillorsâ Community Benefit Fund which aims to enhance community life and well-being and maximise opportunities for community participation and development.
With the fund being utilised on a Junior Football Club as well as adding an asset to a local State School, Cr Townsend believes the process will benefit many members of the community in years to come.
âI was only too happy to support both the club and the Redland Bay State School. Members of the community now have access to a place where they can enjoy themselves in a positive, healthy environment,â said Cr Townsend.
Redland Bay Tiger Sharks now have three teams in total, two competing in a localised under 8 competition against surrounding clubs and one team participating in the Brisbane Junior League with the vast majority of children being pupils at the school.
With the school currently having over 900 students, it is hoped that the interest created through school based programs such as NAB AFL Auskick will lead to an increase of participants for future years.
Brisbane Lions Luke Power and Justin Sherman were at the school for the launch of the goalposts and got to see first hand the affect the initiative has had on the children.
âGrowing up in Victoria there were goalposts in every school but itâs not the same for the kids in Queensland,â Power said.
âSomething as simple as kicking the footy at school will go a long way to helping them develop their skills and improve themselves as footballers.â
Last Modified on 27/01/2010 13:12