Lauderdale NAB AFL Auskickers Alby Brian (6), Celia Wilson (4), and Abby Runciman (7). Photo: Linda Higginson
There are little Devils everywhere, with NAB AFL Community Auskickers starting to receive their exclusive Tasmania Devils t-shirts in recent weeks.
AFL Tasmania and the Tasmania Devils partnered to supply every community Auskicker with a very special Devils t-shirt this season to celebrate the launch of the club. Tasmanian boys and girls have more opportunities than ever to play footy and they can now dream of playing AFL or AFLW for their home state.
The growing excitement for the Tasmania Devils is matched by the participation growth in Tasmania in 2024, with NAB AFL Auskick and junior numbers skyrocketing to new heights. Overall participation in Tasmania has grown by 13 per cent, while the state’s Auskick record has been blown past with more than 2,800 participants representing a 21 per cent increase. This growth of NAB AFL Auskick is a key focus in AFL Tasmania’s 28 by 28 plan.
This comes after the AFL this week announced that more than 128,000 kids around Australia have signed up for NAB AFL Auskick, breaking the program’s all-time record.
Lauderdale Auskickers in their new Tasmania Devils t-shirts. Photo: Linda Higginson
The Lauderdale Auskickers (pictured) loved getting into the colours of their AFL club, and their centre is an example of a community Auskick centre experiencing significant growth. From having 59 participants in 2023, they now have 116 registrations in 2024, including 23 girls.
Whilst there has been huge growth in community NAB AFL Auskick already, there are even more opportunities for girls and boys to still play Auskick after school at their local school this term. It is anticipated that numbers will skyrocket even further, with 21 southern schools running NAB AFL Auskick and Superkick centres after school this term – find a school near you at play.afl and get involved in the fun.
Head of AFL Tasmania, Damian Gill, said: “We have hit record numbers in NAB AFL Auskick and we expect the number to continue climbing through our after-school Auskick on offer right across our state.
“It’s amazing to see the excitement of our community NAB AFL Auskickers unwrapping and pulling on their new very special Devils t-shirts.
“A whole generation of Tasmanians can join Auskick, pull on their shirts and dream of being a Devil in the AFL and AFLW – that is so powerful for our game.
“The Tasmanian Football Club is a game changer for football in our state and we are already seeing that with participation soaring across NAB AFL Auskick, Superkick and junior football in our state.
Tasmania Football Club Executive Director, Kath McCann, said: “Seeing our first generation of Tasmania Devils wearing their colours with pride and excitement is just fantastic.
“Thank you to all of the volunteers, parents, carers, local footy clubs, schools and AFL Tasmania for supporting our young people to get involved with the game. The coming years are incredibly exciting for football in Tasmania and it’s wonderful to see the involvement, excitement and participation already building so strongly.”