Auskickers celebrate another successful season

FUTURE footballers across the region recently wrapped up their 2025 Auskick programs.

Friday nights were a big hit at the Inverloch Recreation Reserve throughout its nine-week program.

This year, the program attracted 124 footballers with the largest contingent coming from the prep age group.

Around 36 Preps registered for this year’s program.

“We had an excellent year. We were fortunate with the weather and didn’t have to call off any of our sessions,” Inverloch Auskick coordinator Big K said.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our normal events like the guard of honour, our great night with the Inverloch Football Netball Club footballers coming down, mums vs kids day, dads vs kids day, crazy hair day, superheroes – it was fantastic.”

Inverloch Auskick introduced Superkick this season.

Superkick was for boys and girls in Grade 2 and up to focus on game play.

They would do 90 per cent match play on a Friday night with 10 per cent warm-up and skills.

“The idea is they practice their skills during match play as they get older so they can focus on moving on to the U10s, U12s and U14s,” Big K said.

Now in his ninth year as Auskick coordinator, Big K was thrilled to see around 40 formal volunteers once again making sure this great program could continue.

“We’ve always had around 30 to 40 volunteers, which is a testament to the quality of the program,” he said.

“We also had our leadership group, which were nine- to 15-year-olds getting involved with canteen duty and supporting coaches. It was a way for them to give back to the community and gain their confidence.”

Big K confirmed he will be coming back for his 10th year in 2026, excited to see young footballers continue their journeys.

He will be continuing to strengthen the alliance between Auskick and Inverloch Kongwak Football Netball Club.

“We’ve been really clear with the community and our Auskickers that there is a journey with football. Our photo goes up in the social rooms, so everyone remembers where the kids came from,” Big K said.

“There are kids now playing top-age U16s who I, as a coordinator, can remember running around at Auskick. It has been a privilege to watch their journey and know Auskick has opened up that journey for them.

“We are one club, one community.”

Big K also thanked the volunteers, parents and sponsors for their support throughout this Auskick season.