What is Auskick?

Auskick is simply the best way for a young player to learn AFL.  Typically an Auskick session will focus on a few fun AFL skills based games, like kicking, marking, running, or handpassing. We then conclude the hour-long Auskick session with a ten minute modified rules version of an AFL match.

Auskick’s modified rules are both non-competitive and non-contact, making it a safe, fun and empowering sport for any child, as well as a great way to get fit, increase motor skills, and socialise. It also fosters and encourages teamwork, and can be tailored to suit children with spcial needs.

Auskick is lead by the Eagles own fully qualified coaches, with support of the playing groups parents, so get involved and we’ll train you to help us run a great Auskick session!

Who Can Play Auskick?

Auskick is for all boys and girls from the ages of 4 – 7. Typically we break into two groups, for our 4-5 year old “Ewoks” and our 6 – 7 year old “Jedis” with skills and games targeted directly at the abilities of our young players. The Eagles welcome new players of all skill levels all year round! Come and give it a try, or bring a friend - we'd love to see you! We also welcome children with special needs - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any queries.

What’s The Difference between Grade and Auskick?

While Auskick is a one hour session each Sunday, Grade Football requires our players to train for an additional hour on Thursday evenings, as well playing their hour long match each Sunday.

Under 9s still play a non - scoring version of AFL, as well as being non-tackle, so it’s still a safe and fun experience. Typically half of all grade games are home games, with the away games played in the Northwest Region. The furthest away ground is about a 40 minute drive. All Eagles Auskick sessions are held at our Home Ground – Rofe Park in Hornsby Heights.

Should My Child Play Grade or Auskick?

It’s always up to the parent and child as to when they are ready to start playing Grade footy, in our awesome under 9s squad. It may be, for example, that halfway through an Auskick season that a player is clearly ready to take the step up.

We are always open to Auskick players joining our U9s training squad, or even trying a game on matchday. Once there is a good skills base, we find most players love the additional competition of Grade footy, as well as the longer game time. 

But I don’t know anything about Aussie Rules…

You may be surprised to discover many of our parent group are new to AFL. Through the club we can teach you all you need to know about Australia’s favourite football, as well as how to teach your young player the skills they need to enjoy footy! Our coaching philosophy encourages as many hands on volunteers as we can get, and you get the added reward of learning something with your child that you can both share.

What Do I Need to Play Auskick? 

Your Auskick registration fee includes a backpack, which amongst a whole lot of great gear, comes with its very own football. You will also receive an Eagles Jersey (which is returned at the end of each football year).

You will need to purchase red shorts and football socks, both of which are available from the club canteen.

While mouthguards are not mandatory in Auskick (as they are in Grade footy) we still recommend that a mouthguard is used when on the field. Auskick can be played in sneakers, but for best stability for your child, we also recommend football boots are worn.

Where and When do the Eagles Play?

We run our Auskick program each Sunday Morning of our playing season 8.30 – 9.30 am at Rofe Park, Hornsby Heights. In 2013 our season begins April 7 and concludes in late August.

How Can I Register?

Registration for Auskick in 2013 is $100. You can register online at our website, or see us at our rego days Feb 2 and 9 at Rofe Park (10-2pm), or Feb 2 at Westfield Hornsby. 

If you have any further queries, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - we're more than happy to help - and Go The Eagles!!!

AUSKICK Match Report – Round 2

After a wet and wild week it was great that the weather held out for another awesome round of AUSKICK this weekend!  It was a foggy (and soggy!) start to the day, but our intrepid AUSKICKers braved the mist to find us set up at the back of Rofe for this week’s session. 

We started the session with a game of “Ship, Shark, Shore” and then the Ewok’s and the Jedi’s moved into some drills for this week’s focus area - “Picking up the Ball”, and did some revision activities for last week’s skill – “Kicking”.  By the end all the AUSKICKers were showing the skills they’d learnt and were picking up the very wet ball like it was a dry day!!  As always, we finished with a game, and after only two weeks I can already see the standard of the gameplay improving.

Whilst the AUSKICKers were hard at work, some of our AUSKICK parents took the opportunity to complete the Level 0 Coaching Course that was run by the AFL at Rofe last weekend.  It’s great to see our parents getting involved, and of course we’re always thankful for parent helpers jumping in to help us run the sessions!

We also had some new AUSKICKers join our Club this week – a great big Hornsby Berowra Eagles welcome to Chris Nichols and Lars & Inge Ackland.  It was Chris’ first go at AFL, and he impressed us so much that he walked away with one of this week’s Encouragement Award.  Our other Encouragement  Award winner this week was Mimi Vogrig in only her second ever AUSKICK session!!  Clearly we are uncovering some natural talent in the Hornsby Shire!!!

Next week our AUSKICK squad will be focusing on “Catching & Marking” as our core skill area.  The enthusiasm that the whole squad is showing so far is absolutely brilliant, so I’m already looking forward to next round….I hope you are too!!

Hi There AUSKICKERs,

Well, our first round went off with a bang!!  I really hope you all enjoyed it, and are looking forward to the next session on the 22^nd April!  Our first round covered KICKING, and I saw real improvement across the group.  Some of our first-time AUSKICKER’s really got into it and I’m really happy with how you’re all going already!  Some future Swannies in the making!!

For our next session we’re going to practice picking the ball up off the ground – a great skill to learn!  You can’t kick or handpass if you haven’t got the ball in the first place!!  You’ve all got your new footies now…so lot’s of practice in the backyard over the holidays with Mum or Dad.

Note for the AUSKICK Mum’s and Dad’s:

It was great to see so many of you there last weekend to cheer the kids on – they really love having you there to see them getting their footy on!  For the new parents, you can probably now appreciate how busy each session is, and why we need your help to run it smoothly.  I’d really love to have a regular “posse” of Mum’s and Dad’s who are happy to help Matt and I run the skills activities each week – I’ve got a AUSKICK ballcap and t-shirt for those who get in first!!  That way you can really stand out.  As I mentioned in my previous email, there will be a Level 0 coaching course run by the AFL for all the AUSKICK parents during one of our Sunday morning sessions – probably round 2 or 3.  It’s great fun and gives you a good intro to the game.  

If you’re really passionate about getting involved with the Club, and would like to learn more about the AFL’s coaching philosophy and procedures, there is a Level 1 Coaching Accreditation run by the AFL.  It is run several times through the season and the Club actually sponsors a few people through it every year.  If you’d like to know more drop me an email, or give me a call.

I hope everybody has a safe and happy Easter, and the kids all have a relaxing break (it’s been a long term, and I know my own little guys really need it…so does Mum!!).  I look forward to seeing everybody come back refreshed and ready for another action packed AUSKICK session on Sunday, 22^nd April.

Cheers,

Ian McPherson

HBE AUSKICK Co-ordinator

Hi There AUSKICKERs,

Well, our first round went off with a bang!!  I really hope you all enjoyed it, and are looking forward to the next session on the 22^nd April!  Our first round covered KICKING, and I saw real improvement across the group.  Some of our first-time AUSKICKER’s really got into it and I’m really happy with how you’re all going already!  Some future Swannies in the making!!

For our next session we’re going to practice picking the ball up off the ground – a great skill to learn!  You can’t kick or handpass if you haven’t got the ball in the first place!!  You’ve all got your new footies now…so lot’s of practice in the backyard over the holidays with Mum or Dad.

Note for the AUSKICK Mum’s and Dad’s:

It was great to see so many of you there last weekend to cheer the kids on – they really love having you there to see them getting their footy on!  For the new parents, you can probably now appreciate how busy each session is, and why we need your help to run it smoothly.  I’d really love to have a regular “posse” of Mum’s and Dad’s who are happy to help Matt and I run the skills activities each week – I’ve got a AUSKICK ballcap and t-shirt for those who get in first!!  That way you can really stand out.  As I mentioned in my previous email, there will be a Level 0 coaching course run by the AFL for all the AUSKICK parents during one of our Sunday morning sessions – probably round 2 or 3.  It’s great fun and gives you a good intro to the game.  

If you’re really passionate about getting involved with the Club, and would like to learn more about the AFL’s coaching philosophy and procedures, there is a Level 1 Coaching Accreditation run by the AFL.  It is run several times through the season and the Club actually sponsors a few people through it every year.  If you’d like to know more drop me an email, or give me a call.

I hope everybody has a safe and happy Easter, and the kids all have a relaxing break (it’s been a long term, and I know my own little guys really need it…so does Mum!!).  I look forward to seeing everybody come back refreshed and ready for another action packed AUSKICK session on Sunday, 22^nd April.

Cheers,

Ian McPherson

HBE AUSKICK Co-ordinator

Our mighty Eagles Auskickers took to the field on the weekend to participate in a slippery, muddy, and truly awesome footy match at Bruce Purser Stadium, during half time at the Swans vs North Melbourne NAB cup match.

There were some great kicks, marks, handballs and running in a game played against the Baulkham Hills Hawks. Our young footy stars played their match in front of the Swans and Kangaroos dressing rooms, who I’m sure were mightily impressed with the footy display they were watching – maybe even some taking a few tips!

Many thanks to Ian McPherson as well as all the parents of our awesome Auskickers for making it a great night, for our future footy stars!

Checkout some of the great pictures in our Photo Gallery, or click here to watch an awesome Eagles coast to coast goal (we're the ones in black!)(oh and you'll need quicktime)