Five AFLW players have signed on as ambassadors for the AFL Schools program, which aims to provide teachers across Australia with the resources and opportunity they need to connect students with our great game.
Taking on ambassador roles this year include: Gold Coast SUNS’ Lauren Ahrens (Secondary teacher at Miami SHS), Sydney Swans’ Lisa Steane (Secondary teacher at Willoughby Girls and Randwick Boys), Hawthorn’s Kaitlyn Ashmore (Primary CRT at St Martin De Porres PS in Avondale Heights) Port Adelaide’s Ange Foley (Secondary teacher at Seymour College), and Fremantle’s Gabby O’Sullivan (Secondary teacher at SEDA).
The AFL Schools program empowers teachers to deliver quality content – both on the field and in the classroom – that encourages students to become more active and engaged, whilst simultaneously exposing them to Aussie Rules, the clubs, and players.
With a passion for Aussie Rules and teaching the next generation, the five ambassadors will help the program not only cultivate a life-long interest in footy for students, but encourage intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and in-class and on-field participation.
Visiting schools across Australia, they’ll also equip teachers and educators with the tools they require – including a host of materials and resources – to coach footy.
For Gold Cost Sun’s player and AFL Excellence Coordinator at Miami State High School, Ms Lauren Ahrens, becoming an AFL Schools Ambassador has been about seizing those teachable moments and watching her students grow their potential as they progress through the program.
“I love integrating what I’ve learnt as an athlete and a teacher to give students the best possible experience to reach their goals and strive for more at school,” Ms Ahrens says.
“With our female numbers in the AFL program increasing I’m really enjoying seeing the girls’ growth.
“It makes me happy to see how enthusiastic they are to learn and improve. They all really put their heads down and want to get the most out of everything I’m teaching them.”
AFL Executive General Manager Game Development Rob Auld said he was delighted to have five passionate ambassadors representing the program in its second year.
“The AFL Schools program is vital in helping us make footy accessible to as many children as possible, so to have five passionate and highly qualified ambassadors in Lauren, Lisa, Kaitlyn, Ange and Gabby aiding the delivery of this initiative is a great result,” Auld said.
“Having our AFLW players visit schools across the country who students can look up to and learn from, strengthens the program and gives children and teachers a unique experience as they connect with our game.”
Make sure you catch the feature of our AFLW Ambassadors on this month’s front cover of Education Matters magazine!
For more information on the AFL’s Schools Sports Program, visit: https://www.play.afl/schools/
