Page 93 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

TOWNSVILLE
Twenty-twelve was a successful year for school programs in the region. We continued to expand the reach of the NAB AFL Auskick program in the region by targeting a number of schools that hadn’t been previously exposed. This was highlighted by the work done by the development staff in the Burdekin region, introducing four new centres in 2012. Auskick continues to be a massive hit with kids in the local community with many schools posting record numbers and Townsville recording some of the highest female participation percentage in the state.
The AFL Sport Education program was again a popular choice. Our staff continues to build relationships with local schools, which are now looking at including the AFL Sport Education program as part of the curriculum.
Our school competitions continue to thrive with record team entries in the boy’s primary school division of the Gold Coast SUNS cup. Twenty-twelve also saw the introduction of a primary school Gold Coast SUNS cup girls division, which was very well received by the local schools and will be a key growth area for 2013 and beyond. More and more schools are being attracted to our school competitions which are a great sign for growth in the future.
One of our AFL School Ambassadors, Kathleen Newman (William Ross HS) was named joint winner of the 2012 AFL Queensland School Ambassador of the year award. This marked the second time in as many years that a Townsville based teacher has won the award. We are very fortunate to have such great involvement from teachers in our region.
Kirwan High School, which is part of our AFL Sports Excellence Program, participated in the open school boys competition program in Cairns for the second year running. Both years they have made the final, this year winning against Trinity Bay.
2012 was also a very successful year for our AFL Townsville Eagles Development Program with ten players making the Kookaburras team.
Dominic Stout-Milkins moved to Redlands Football Club on a scholarship and made his senior NEAFL debut against the NT Thunder.
John McCanash was best on ground in the April Gold Coast SUNS Academy game in Airlie Beach. He went on and played several games for the Gold Coast SUNS reserves and played two games for the Queensland Under 18 Scorpions.
Ryan Agita was the first player to be offered a scholarship with the Gold Coast SUNS. He has played several games with the club’s reserves team as a fifteen year old and was also important member of the very successful Queensland Under 16 Young Scorpions team.
Josh Hall was picked up in the Draft as a Rookie by the Gold Coast SUNS after playing just seven games of AFL. He was upgraded onto the senior list and made his AFL debut in Cairns, playing against the Richmond Football Club.
PETER YOUNG
TOWNSVILLE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
AFL Queensland
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