L-R: Bruce Mason (Mill Park Auskick Coordinator), AFL & AFLW players Tom De Koning, Harry Sheezel, Ruby Schleicher, Tayla Harris, and Kim Tempest (South Belgrave Auskick Coordinator). Photo: AFL Photos
The AFL today celebrated a milestone birthday for the most iconic kids' sports participation program in Australia - NAB AFL Auskick!
This season marks 30 years since NAB AFL Auskick became a national program, uniting thousands of children around the country to create the biggest, most awesome team of all, our Auskickers.
AFL Victoria was proud to invite two special Victorian Auskick Coordinators to the celebrations, Bruce Mason and Kim Tempest.
Bruce Mason has been an Auskick Coordinator across Epping and Mill Park Auskick Centres for the entire 30 years that Auskick has run!
Bruce started out when his son joined Auskick, and loved being a Coordinator so much that he continued long after his son finished up, because he loves the sense of community and seeing the enjoyment on the kids faces.
He has also assisted in running half time Auskick at the MCG and Marvel Stadium for over 10 years.
Kim Tempest from South Belgrave Auskick Centre, was awarded the 2024 AFL Victoria Auskick Coordinator of the Year, after signing up as a volunteer three years earlier when her son started Auskick.
There was no Auskick Coordinator at South Belgrave and the program was at risk of being cancelled, so Kim stepped up.
"I watched my then four-year-old having a blast and I thought, I can't let this go, so I put my hand up and here I am three years later," she said.
Her favourite thiing about being a Coordinator is the enjoyment the kids get out of it, and seeing them learn and develop.
"Watching the kids have an absolute blast, kicking the goals and learning all those fundamentals and team building skills aswell, they learn to share"
Kim said one of the biggest changes she's noticed in recent years is the increase in girls participation at Auskick.
"The first year I did it, we had no girls at South Belgrave, and last year we had close to 30 girls registered, including two all-girls groups. It's good to see the girls getting involved and putting themselves out there."
Since the program’s inception in 1995 more than two million Auskickers across 3,500 centres have pulled on their boots, made new friends, worn grass stains with pride and most importantly, plenty of smiles.
About NAB AFL Auskick
As the introductory program for children to connect with Australian football, NAB AFL Auskick is tackle-free and is all about being active, having fun and learning new skills in an inclusive environment.
The milestone birthday follows two consecutive record-breaking years for Auskick after more than 126,000 registered participants signed up in 2023 and more than 141,000 last year – with the goal in 2025 to grow our Auskick community to 150,000 and beyond.
Providing the best possible experience for each Auskicker as they form a connection to our game has, and will always be, at the heart of the program. Over 30 years the evolution of Auskick has seen the introduction of packs full of goodies – which are now available in your choice of team colours – opportunities to play at half time during AFL and AFLW matches, and thanks to NAB, the chance to present players with their premiership medallions on Grand Final day.
As modern families and lifestyles continue to change, Auskick has also found new ways to fit into busy schedules and fully integrate into schools. A structured before and after school program now runs across the country which allows Auskick to take place in more locations and provide experiences to children who may be new to the game. Boosted by appearances from AFL and AFLW players these sessions complement the traditional early morning weekend timeslot by creating more flexibility and options for families.
The creation of new offerings through NAB AFL Auskick has also seen dedicated all girls and all ability sessions grow throughout Australia, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate and connect with Australian football. Heading into this season, girls make up one in four participants, 4.2 per cent of current Auskickers identify as living with a disability, while Auskickers who have a parent born overseas make up more than a quarter of the overall total which is currently more than 34,000.
AFL Talent Ambassador, Kevin Sheehan, who was the league’s former Development Manager and oversaw Game Development including Auskick, recalls how Auskick was created back in the ‘90s.
“Before Auskick started, most state and territories had their own participation program, so they were all run a bit differently,” Sheehan said.
“Then in 1994, the late, great Ray Allsopp, who really was the father-figure of Auskick, came in and helped develop and create the national program to bring everyone together. He, along with David Parkin and Mick Daniher saw the importance of educating volunteer coaches on the fundamentals of the game and making sure kids love of footy grew from an early age.
“To see how it has grown over the 30 years and the number of kids who have taken part is astounding. It’s a testament to the experience the kids receive – from the fun they have, friends they make and the skills they learn from passionate volunteers and coordinators at local centres.”
CLICK HERE to read more about NAB AFL Auskick and the 30th birthday celebrations.