PARENTS' INFORMATION

The importance of parents

Parents are the driving force behind AFL Auskick. Their role as co-ordinators, coaches, and volunteers is fundamental to the success of the program.

But it's not all giving. Parents have the opportunity to learn football, parenting skill and make new friends through their involvement in AFL Auskick.

Orientation courses are available to all parents. The co-ordinator should encourage all parents of registered AFL Auskick participants to take part in a free AFL Auskick orientation course. These courses are held at the beginning of the year and take approximately two hours. Co-ordinators, coaches and interested parents can also take Level 1 courses to gain a further understanding of AFL Auskick coaching principles.

Co-ordinators should ensure parental involvement in their child's AFL Auskick program. AFL Auskick is hopefully the start of or continuation of a lifetime involvement in the AFL game for parents.

Ten reasons parents become involved:

1. Play with their children.
2. Contribute to a child's social development.
3. Learn new skills.
4. Share talent and knowledge.
5. Serve the community.
6. Have fun, relax and make friends.
7. Give something back to football.
8. Feel valued, useful and appreciated.
9. Love of the AFL game.
10. Help others.

It's for the kids

AFL Auskick allows children to play sport in a relaxed, environment where making friends, having fun with their parents, and improving their skills are given equal weight. It also provides excellent social value.

All children, regardless of their ability, will have as many opportunities to touch the ball and use it effectively as the next child. All children will improve their ball handling skills and confidence playing a team sport.

AFL Auskick provides a strong base for kids to move into sport on a competitive level.

Kids enjoy sport for several reasons:

1. Being physically active.
2. Developing new skills and improving existing ones.
3. Being with friends and making new ones.
4. Being part of a team.
5. Learning from coaches.

Why is AFL Auskick so successful?

The AFL and the states have invested heavily in creating the right introductory course to AFL football for primary school children throughout Australia.

The emphasis has always been on having fun while improving a child's sporting skills, co-ordination, health and fitness, and social skills.

Its backbone remains the parents and volunteers who, supported by an AFL infrastructure that implements programs through state football bodies, create their own sense of community.

The community leads the way. The AFL provides support. The states oversee the delivery. The philosophy gives the direction.

The only commitment volunteers must make is to the AFL Auskick philosophy and to their child's sporting development.

The easy answer to why AFL Auskick is so successful is because:

• It's fun and safe.
• It's for kids and parents.
• It's managed by the community.

A typical AFL Auskick session

8.50 am	Arrive at ground, have a kick with mum, dad, and friends.
9.00 am	Assemble in ability/age groups and move off to allocated areas.
9.05 am	Play warm-up games - fun activities/games that get children ready for activity.
9.15 am	Skill teaching, guided by head coach for groups, then taken by parent helpers. Skills are taught using the S.P.I.R method S Show - 1, Name the Skill 2, Demonstrate three times 3, Provide three coaching points (maximum) P Practice - Have players practise immediately via an appropriate activity I Instruct - Give feedback on their performance based on what they have been taught R Reward - Encourage and reward effort and achievement
9.45 am	Skill games using skills taught (today and previously).
10.05 am	Break into teams (on age/size/ability) and play an AFL Auskick Rules match, appropriate to age/size/ability.
10.30 am	Encouragement awards, drinks and departure.