By Joe McConnell
Following a successful inaugural year, the Chinchilla Suns organisation is rapidly growing in its second season participating in the AFL Darling Downs competition.
For the 2014 season, the Suns now boast an under-12s and men’s division two side.
And not only has the club found the numbers to enter the two teams, but they are also beginning to taste success on the field.
The men’s side is currently second on the ladder with a 3-1 record and only a slight two points behind the top of the table University Cougars.
On the junior level, Chinchilla’s Luke Knight has recently been selected as one of the final 23 players to represent the Under 16 Darling Downs side to take on Wide Bay on May 10.
Chinchilla Suns club president Jay Paget said that the selection to play for the representative side is a fantastic result for both Luke and the club.
“Luke hasn’t played much football as we can’t get enough numbers in his age group at present,” Mr Paget said.
“But (he) is a consistent face at both junior and senior training and the work he is done with his skill level is a credit to himself and the Suns coaching staff,” he said.
A large part of the clubs expansion has been through the promotion of AFL within its junior levels; including a tremendous response rate to NAB AFL Auskick.
Auskick aims to introduce children to Australian Football by providing boys and girls with a fun and safe experience, while also developing within each child the desire for a healthy lifestyle.
The program commences once again in Chinchilla on May 15 at St. Joseph’s primary school.
President Paget said in the past that Auskick has been received by the juniors with enthusiasm and he doesn’t expect that to change this year.
“In the past Auskick has had great numbers and I expect it to be successful once again,” Mr Paget said.
“We also have our after school AFL primary school program starting this term, so it’s a busy few months for the club,” he said.
This is the fourth year that Auskick will take place in Chinchilla and AFL Darling Downs regional manager Keith Webb said the participation from the area has always been more than pleasing.
“Over the last three years Chinchilla have averaged about 60 to 80 kids,” Mr Webb said.
“As a whole for Auskick the average would be around 40 kids, so it has really been embraced by the (Chinchilla) community,” he said.
President Paget is also looking forward to the start of this year’s Auskick program as another chance to help the constant development of the Chinchilla club.
“We want to continue to promote the club in the west, especially for our juniors” he said.
“The Chinchilla Suns just gives juniors in the region another pathway of a sporting club to choose.”
NAB Auskick begins in Chinchilla on May 15 at St. Joseph’s primary school and runs once a week from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
Last Modified on 02/05/2014 11:57
