Gallery | The future looks bright at Rumbalara Football Netball Club

This scenario is common at most football grounds across the country. But importantly, this scene signifies Auskick’s return to Rumbalara.

The Rumbalara Auskick Program was launched for its second straight year on Tuesday afternoon, with about 30 children participating in the fun-based football skills session.

Participation co-ordinator for AFL Victoria Kevin Monaghan said he loved seeing how many young children were taking the first step in their footballing journey.

“The Rumbalara Auskick Program is to help build the base for the Murray Football League,” he said.

“Rumbalara have a women’s team and they also have a junior and youth team as well, and obviously a senior team.

“The aim is to have a base and a pathway for these kids to continue on to the next step to juniors.

“Youth, juniors and then hopefully there is some pretty good talent out here, and they can go through the AFL or AFLW draft, but if not, then definitely go through the Rumbalara senior side and build that base for the Indigenous community in Shepparton.”

In more exciting news for the Auskickers at Rumbalara, they have been given the opportunity to play on the MCG during one of the biggest nights on the AFL calendar.

“All AFL players, if you ask them, they started off with Auskick, so it is a great opportunity for these kids and they will get an opportunity to play at half-time at the MCG for the Dreamtime match,” Monaghan said.

“It’s a great program and Rumbalara Football Club actually fund it, so it is a great opportunity for these kids to join and get out there and play Auskick.

“We can’t wait to see the kids out on the Dreamtime at the G next week.”

The sessions are run on Tuesday evenings from 4.45pm to 5.45 pm, just before the start of senior training.

Monaghan said this was structured to help build a community atmosphere at Rumbalara, as the parents can be involved with their children’s training before going on to their own.

Executive officer at Rumbalara Football Netball Club Rebecca Dean believes the Auskick program will be hugely beneficial in building women’s football at Rumbalara.

“What’s fabulous is the ability for our junior netballers to join in and have a career path in either. As I say to them, you can be an Australian Diamond or an AFLW star,” Dean said.

“It’s lovely because it is still a bit disjointed around junior girls’ football, but the ability for some of the girls to come here and practice their skills and know that they can do it and have options to play whatever sport they want.

“It’s really important for me that the kids feel like this is their place as well; it isn’t just about senior football and A-grade netball.

“This is their place.”

Rumbalara’s home ground is currently undergoing a facelift, and the club’s off-field assets are also being renovated and upgraded.

Although these renovations have prevented Rumba from playing at home so far this season, Dean is hopeful that both the football and netball sides can once again play at home in the coming weeks.

“Hopefully around June 16,” she said.

“We are really excited we have got new netball change rooms and a new canteen and some refurbishing, so it is wonderful.

“It’s nice to have facilities that reflect your aspirations and dreams.

“I think it shows to our community, participants and club members that they are valued and important.”