2016 School Footy Launch

AFL Victoria held their annual School Football launch this morning, with staff and students from CBC St. Kilda and Emmanuel College in attendance to represent our Association. The event was held at the Holden Centre, home of the Collingwood Football Club, with all school sport associations represented along with AFL Victoria staff and special guests. The attendees were welcomed by AFL Victoria’s Participation and Programs Manager, Mr. Stephen O’Donoghue, who is a former Director of Sport from Mazenod College in Mulgrave. Special guests included Collingwood’s VFL coach, Dale Tapping, and Collingwood AFL player James Aish. Carlton FC female ambassador, Lauren Arnell, was also in attendance. Lauren is one of the leading female footballers in Australia and a certainty to be a key player in the inaugural AFL female competition when it kicks off in 2017. Rounding out the panel was former Richmond FC player and current AFL Multicultural Ambassador, David Rodan. The staff and students were shown around the high performance area of the Holden Centre before having photos taken on the oval. Football is such an important part of the local Melbourne culture and it was a great way to celebrate the importance that schools play in the promotion of our great game and the development of the players in their formative years.