Children of all abilities across Bayside will be able to take part in specially designed AFL programs thanks to a new St Kilda Football Club and Junction Studio initiative supported by the AFL and VicHealth.

SaintsPlay is one of six projects that have been chosen as part of VicHealth’s $500,000 Innovation Challenge: sport program, which supports new initiatives that help less active Victorians to take part in sport activities. 

The program aims to empower Bayside clubs and schools to host inclusive football programs, as well as establishing NAB AFL Auskick pre-learn days across the region. These days will give families the opportunity to trial a NAB AFL Auskick session in a safe and inclusive environment.

St Kilda Football Club General Manager of Community Lisa Laing said the program’s establishment had been a long time in the making.

“Through a partnership with ALLPlay, we assisted in hosting a pre-learn day at Seaford and felt that we could do more to support our Bayside community,” Laing said.

“Families were finding that upon attending their first football session, their children were overwhelmed by the experience and unfortunately, were not able to continue playing footy. 

“In an effort to combat that, SaintsPlay will allow children and their parents to attend and essentially ‘try before you buy’ to see if the catered sessions work for them.

“If families enjoy the experience, they will then be referred to Bayside NAB AFL Auskick centres who offer an ongoing catered program. We’re currently working with local facilitators to increase the number of centres qualified to host these programs.

“Ultimately, families of children on the autism spectrum just want their children to feel welcome, included within their community and to be able to experience the benefits of team sport. We’re excited to be able to start delivering a program that will enable this.”

For more information on ALLPlay resources please visit – allplay.org.au