Two hundred footballs were given away this week to participants at the Andrew Welsh NAB AFL Auskick Centre thanks to Essendon business partner Yakult.
Representatives from Yakult were on hand to assist with the donation, which is part of their support of Essendon's community programs. Yakult's support enables the club's community programs to reach a greater number of young people and give them an AFL experience.
The clinics - which are run with Victoria Police - have been held for the past three years at Flemington’s Debney Park as a way of introducing young people from different cultural backgrounds to the world of football.
Moonee Valley Youth Resource Officer, Senior Constable Del King said simple interactions such as a kick-to-kick not only gets the local kids involved in sport they might not otherwise get involved in, but it also showed police in a different light.
“We want young people to see us as every day people who go about their jobs. Not only will the youths gain a better understanding of the work we do, but the initiative will help us gain insight into their cultures,” she said.
Families joined in on the day which included a football clinic, prize giveaways and a halal BBQ. It is the 15th time the clinic has been held this year.
Welsh thanked Yakult for their support and said the centre would be back bigger and better in 2010.
""The children get the chance to learn more about footy but I also get the chance to learn about them and their background and it has been great,"" he said.
