All-Abilities Auskick breaks new ground in Moolap

A NEW and inclusive footy program at the Newcomb Power is off and running in Geelong’s east.

The Power are halfway through a game changing All-Abilities Auskick Program entering the fourth of six Wednesday sessions, catering to more than 30 kids with special needs giving the game of Aussie Rules a go.

Junior football coordinator Scott Smith said the club’s All-Abilities Auskick Program is just one of the many programs finally becoming a reality at Grinter Reserve.

“We’ve got participants from Jan Juc, Torquay and Armstrong Creek coming down for the program, it is clearly a type of program that is needed all over the Geelong region and beyond,” Smith said.

“We here at Newcomb, alongside Lara, are the only football clubs that offer a comprehensive program like this.

“Once we figure out what works and what doesn’t in a program like this, we’ll be heading to AFL Victoria with our findings and then start to push it out to more mainstream clubs.”

Several Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) coaches have also been enlisted by Newcomb to provide extra assistance and promote inclusion utilising their qualifications.

Sensory balls, shorter activity times and active engagement between coaches and participants are some of the noticeable differences between the All-Abilities program and a mainstream Auskick program.

Newcomb has quickly become one of the region’s most successful junior programs participation-wise with more than 350 registrations across football and netball.

Coupled with a number of new developments at its Moolap-based ground, namely new lights and a pavilion extension, Smith is excited to see the club growing after a disjointed and frustrating two years.

“It’s fantastic for the club,” Smith said.

“We’re very inclusive. Inclusion is one thing that we really pride ourselves on, it doesn’t matter what your ability or background is. To our locals, come down to Newcomb. We need to make sure our 3219 community feels included and we need to make sure everyone is looked after.”

The Power will be commencing its Net, Set, Go program in Term 3 to introduce young kids to the game of netball, adding to Newcomb’s array of inclusive initiatives.