Following a successful pilot last year, the Essendon Football Club is excited to now take bookings for their Early Learning program, Bomber Kids.
In 2024, Essendon staff ventured the Hume, Merri-Bek, Moonee Valley and Macedon Rangers councils, ranging as far as Airport West to Macedon, road testing curriculum and surveying teachers at 15 different Early Learning Centres, kindergartens and pre-schools, delivering the program to over 500 students.
Bomber Kids aims to develop students’ key motor skills such as running, jumping, kicking, and handballing, all while learning the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and communication. Using the medium of football, activities are specifically designed to promote school readiness with a focus on active listening, turn-taking, and working as part of a team.
“We had the pleasure of having the Bomber Kids program visit our Kinder,” Sarah Cook from Explorers Early Learning Essendon said.
“The team ran an engaging and informative incursion that got our children working in collaboration, communicating and turn taking. They not only had the children up and moving but taught us some history of the game and some local Indigenous knowledge.
“The footy spirit was brought to life here at Explorers Essendon.”
More than simply a football clinic, the program has a strong pedagogical alignment to key education frameworks. It also offers a comprehensive suite of pre and post visit resources, including a series of edu-tainment videos featuring AFLW ambassador Maddy Prespakis.
“My interest in AFL started when I was 4 years old, so I know how beneficial these programs are to kids,” Prespakis said.
“I’m really excited to be able to share my experience and learnings with children.”
Essendon Community Education Lead Brendan Hitchens echoed this sentiment.
“If you look at the Early Years Learning framework, there are so many opportunities to utilise the power of sport as an education tool,” Hitchens said.
“Beyond simply the teaching of fundamental movement skills, football is a great vehicle to explore promoting a healthy, active lifestyle and developing key physical and social skills.”
Bombers Kids will be delivered within the Club’s zone, which includes some of Melbourne’s most culturally diverse suburbs. Bomber Kids will serve as an introduction to Australian Rules Football for some young people, many for which it is their first interaction with the game.
“Sport is not just about competition—it's about building stronger, more connected communities. Football has the power to bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion,” Hitchens said.
Essendon is proud of its enduring connection with its community, and this program is another opportunity to support and influence positive change.
To sign up to have Bomber Kids visit your early learning centre, kindergarten or pre-school, CLICK HERE or contact community@essendonfc.com.au for more information about the program.
