World Footy News

It was a first for Welsh ARFL club the Swansea Magpies on Tuesday 14th February 2011 where two of their senior players, Tim Atkins and Aled Morris, took Australian Rules Football into the classroom of Bishop Gore Comprehensive School. The club was invited by the local 5x60 officer, Louise Snelgrove, to introduce Aussie Rules to the Year 9 boys and girls.

The lesson went very well, with the children responding positively to a brand new sport that all but one of them had never heard of. The pupils are at a stage where they will soon choose which G.C.S.E. subjects they will take in years 10 and 11. The school were looking to use the session to help promote Physical Education G.C.S.E. and potentially offer an alternative pathway to football (soccer) and rugby. Maybe Aussie Rules will find its way into the curriculum at some point in the future.

The introductory sessions were made up of simple handball drills, kicking exercises and rucking. They also managed a short game of handball and finished off with a competition to see if anyone could kick the ball through a basketball hoop.

5x60 is a sport and physical activity for secondary school pupils. Sport Wales (previously known as the Sports Council for Wales) launched the scheme to encourage pupils to be involved in more physical activity. It has expanded into all 16 secondary schools in Swansea, providing new sport, physical activity and adventure opportunities for pupils. As part of their Community Chest grant for 2011 the Magpies are intending to attract more junior and lady members and this is a positive first step to achieve that.

Following the good response from this taster session the Magpies are looking to help Bishop Gore School in the future, possibly setting up a regular AFL club as part of the 5x60 scheme, and will try and introduce Australian Rules Football to more schools in the Swansea area. The Swansea Magpies will engage with the Welsh Australian Rules Football League to attempt to get Aussie Rules introduced to schools in a similar way.

With six teams located across South Wales, it could prove a valuable exercise in future player recruitment for the league in Wales. The Magpies see this as a positive step for the club and for the sport in Wales. Getting the attention of juniors will no doubt be key to sustaining a team in Swansea and increase participation in the sport overall.

For more information about the 5x60 scheme visit: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=15473