Auskick Kids Lose Out

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Auskick is the AFL's children's program in which children from the age of five and up learn the skills of the game under the supervision of accredited coaches and volunteers. The program offers a fun and safe learning environment. Each child who registers with the program at the start of the season receives a backpack of AFL "goodies". Among them are tickets for each child and their parents (or parent) to an AFL game. Tickets are given based on whom the child or parent selects as their favorite team. The AFL does issue the caveat that admission is subject to seating availability. However, try telling that to approximately 1000 kids who received tickets to the Round 17 match between Geelong and Hawthorn.

When the complimentary tickets were issued, it was not anticipated that the game would be one of the season's blockbusters. Now with both the Cats and Hawks firmed as certain finalists and at short odds to play off in the Grand Final, the AFL has told the families that the tickets would not be honored as the game is sure to be a sell-out and seats must be reserved for members. If they want to attend the match, says the league, they must purchase tickets.

Many have become outraged at the AFL's move, none more so than Nadia Munro, mother to five year old Ethan. Their story was reported in Melbourne's Herald Sun and Nadia said Ethan, who had learned all the players' numbers and match stats, was heartbroken after weeks of anticipation at the thought of staying up well past his bedtime and attending his first AFL game to see his Cats play.

Fan comments at the Herald Sun website unanimously savaged the AFL for reneging on the tickets. The AFL has since apologized to all and sundry and have offered tickets for the Round 19 game between Geelong and Melbourne as compensation. The gesture is of little comfort to Nadia and Ethan, with Nadia calling the AFL "mercenary". Jonathan Lumsden is another angry parent. His seven year old son William, a Geelong fan, had also been looking forward to the game for weeks. Lumsden, a Hawthorn supporter, accused the AFL of putting revenue interests ahead of the children and needed to "....be reminded...where grass roots footy...begins."

Several days after the story was posted, several good Samaritans offered their assistance. A Melbourne businessman offered his own tickets to the Munro family and a truck driver offered to pay for their tickets. The Munros even received calls from Tasmania with offers to help. The Hawthorn Football Club came up with tickets for the Munros to attend the game. Hawthorn CEO Terry Dillon said the club often had spare tickets on hand.

Nadia said Ethan's heartbreak had turned to joy at the prospect of going to the game and she thanked all those who offered help and especially the Hawks for coming up with tickets to the game. However, Ethan won't give up his feline allegiance.

Source: Adelaide Advertiser, Herald Sun & Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release