Sport
1 April, 2023
Urgent call for young players
Far Northern AFL clubs ramp up campaign to attract juniors to their ranks for 2023 season
Sam Davis and Isabella Guzman Gonzalez
THE hunt for Far North Queensland’s next junior footy stars is underway, with the first bounce of the AFL Cairns season just weeks away.
However, with junior recruitment numbers decreasing, Cairns’ footy clubs are urging parents to register their children in the sport before the season begins in April.
Cairns Hawks held their signon day in late February, with some age groups boasting larger squads than last year – while others have dwindled.
Cairns Hawks junior president Ellie Rundle said enticing talented juniors back could be challenging as players get older.
“It looks like our under-8s and 9s have enough numbers for two teams,” she said.
“But we’d probably like to add at least 10 more boys at a minimum to our under-15s and under 17.5 boys.
“We just want to keep kids in the sport because if not, where do those kids go?”
The Cairns Saints Club, based in Manunda, has been running a junior program for ages six to under-18s since 2009.
Cairns Saints president Shane Liversidge said the rising cost of living was the issue.
“We’ve had a very successful junior program; we’re probably one of the few teams that have every age group filled at this stage,” Mr Liversidge said.
“We usually get about 190 kids for our junior program; however, there’s been a drop in participation of 40 per cent.
“The eight-year-old, the nineyear-olds, that’s where we’re really seeing a decline this year.
“A lot of it concerns the economy; I think many families are hurting, and they can’t have their kids participating in multiple sports.
“It may be a little early to tell; we’re starting on April 23 and still getting registrations.”
A younger junior club established in 2022, the Gordonvale Suns, has also seen a decline in junior participation compared to last year.
The club began registrations on February 17 and has extended its registration period.
“Junior recruitment is down 50 per cent compared to last year,” George Barnett, president of the Gordonvale Suns, said.
The Gordonvale Suns are focusing their efforts in recruiting more under-13s and under-U15s girls and boys for the club.
The Cazalys-based Club, Cairns Hawks, hopes to build its numbers in both the boys’ and girls’ teenage grades over the coming weeks, with a flurry of registrations expected before round one in late April.
“The last few years participation rates have been down across the board in certain age groups – not just with Hawks,” Ms Rundle said.
“But there’s the chance to make lifelong friends and heaps of fun and enjoyment in AFL. We’re also a family-oriented club.
“What we do is based around inclusiveness and embracing diversity.
“We offer a great off-field culture encouraging families to get involved and feel good to be around.”
Mr Liversidge urged parents to register their kids and stated that most footy clubs would find ways to support struggling families.
“Juniors are the heart and soul of any football club,” he said.
“Parents come and try; it’s an affordable sport, and there are more opportunities for kids to enjoy themselves in a team environment.
“Don’t be afraid to ask your club. There are payment plan options if you can’t afford to pay the registration fee
“I know the Saints would be happy to do as much as possible to help families.”
