Manning Valley Mustangs Junior Australian Football Club welcomes players from the Sydney Swans to the Manning Valley next Monday.
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Swans players will be visiting local schools and hosting a free clinic at Johnny Martin Oval from 3.30pm.
The visit coincides with the launch of the Mustangs 2018 season with the club entering the Mid North Coast AFL competition for a third consecutive year.
New club president Rob Waddell is excited at what the Swans bring to the Manning Valley.
“It’s great to have Sydney bring players to the regional areas,’’ he said.
“They interact so well with the kids and help the local clubs teach the skills and benefits of playing Australian Football.
“With regional players like Isaac Heeney, who hails from Newcastle, now playing on the biggest stage, it encourages the kids and shows them they can now make it in the AFL from our area.
“We hope to see heaps of kids at Johnny Martin Oval this Monday.”
Registrations for season 2018 are now open catering for ages 5–14..
Competitive football is available for under 11s and under 13s with Auskick for ages five and up.
With a North Coast Womens AFL competition now a reality, local girls are also encouraged to become more involved and learn the skills of AFL.
Last year Manning Mustangs player Jacobi Shaw was named in the AFL North Coast Force under 13 team.
He played at the Northern Coast representative carnival held in Coffs Harbour. Central Coast, Hunter Coast, Northern Rivers and North West were all represented at the carnival.
Jacobi started AFL through the Mustangs Auskick program.
“Over the past few years we’ve had some top players run clinic for local kids,” Rob continued.
“Players like Dane Rampe, Luke Parker and Will Hayward have come through in recent years and they are now first chosen for the Swans. Its not everyday our juniors get to meet players of this calibre.”
The clinic is free and open to all in the community.