World Footy News

NAB AFL Auskick coach Michael Greenham recently held a once-off Auskick session in the Turkish capital Ankara, while en route for a cycling tour for charity. Assisted by some local PE teachers and staff from the Australian embassy, Greenham took over 200 local kids through some Aussie rules skill sessions.

While we've had contacts interested in starting footy in Turkey before, it's never quite gotten off the ground. However, you never know when the next impromptu session will be the one that gets things underway.

The full article from the AFL website can be read below.

Kids in Turkey discover the delights of Australian football

In the city of Ankara, over 200 local Turkish students recently had their first taste of Aussie rules when they took part in an all-day Auskick clinic.

The clinic was run by NAB AFL Auskick coach Michael Greenham with the help of three PE teachers and a couple of embassy staff.

The boys and girls, aged between 10-12 years old, began the session with a quick warm-up exercise, followed by basic skill activities covering marking, handball and kicking.

Although the clinic took place on a basketball stadium, the first-time Auskickers showcased excellent hand-eye coordination for marking and handpassing that would be fantastic to see on field.

Mr Greenham said the students really enjoyed themselves.

"The kids were certainly intrigued by the odd bounce of the ball and laughed as they tried to chase it around the basketball court," he said.

"My son and I demonstrated contested marking with the ball being kicked by the Australian Army Defence Attaché in Turkey, and the kids really got into those drills afterwards!"

Michael Greenham and his family were cycling from Ankara to Athens to support Médecins Sans Frontières. You can read about their journey at cyclingacrossborders.wordpress.com.

The original article appeared on the AFL Auskick website here.