The next generation of young footballers put their best foot forward at a fun Auskick clinic last week.

Just before Victoria’s latest lockdown, young children from Corio and North Shore enjoyed a fun afternoon at the Northern Stars Auskick Gala Day, with young participants and their families participating in fun AFL games and activities, hosted by the Geelong Cats community team, AFL Barwon and North Shore Football Club.

The children enjoyed the footy drills, the AFL Barwon Climb and Slide, and Inflatable Goal Posts, as well as a sausage sizzle put on by the North Short Football Club.

The gala day was the culmination of a series of Auskick clinics, which had been run at the Northern Bay College campuses, intended as an introduction to the Auskick environment.

AFL Barwon participation manager Harry Sleigh hailed the Gala Day a “massive success”.

“It is great to give the kids the opportunity to try out the sport of Aussie Rules, and it has been fantastic to see over 40 kids transition into the North Short Football Club’s Auskick Centre.”

Mr Sleigh thanked all the volunteers from North Short Football Club who helped make the gala day possible.

Through Footy Cats initiatives like Auskick Centre and junior club visits, the Cats work in community clubs to encourage participation, in line with the Cats in the Community vision to engage and empower the community to thrive in building healthy, active and inclusive lives.

Geelong Cats General Manager Community Sarah Albon said “Participation in sports is proven to have social, emotional and physical health outcomes, which is why Geelong’s Footy Cats program forms an important part of the Cats Connect pillar of the Cats’ community programs.”