Ten up for AFL’s Tigers

NORTHERN Districts Junior AFL Club is preparing to celebrate its tenth season this year.

The club has won the club championship for the past three years and also some administration and development awards.

The Tigers are based in Woonona and its catchment area is all Illawarra suburbs north from Russell Vale.

The club reformed in 1999 with only 25 players to field three teams – Auskick, under 10s and under 12s.

In 2007 they had over 140 players in eight teams from Auskick to under 16s.

This year they expect to pass 150 players with at least nine teams from Auskick to the new under 17s.

One of the secrets to the Tigers’ success has been focusing on the players enjoying their football and building a sense of community.

The club has consistently had one of the highest retention rates in the greater Sydney region. It also boasts one of the highest girls’ participation rates for girls in 2007 every team had at least one female player.

The club has also been able to retain coaches with the inaugural Auskick mentors still involved to assist newer coaches.

This year, the club hopes players will register early to help determine team numbers.

The club will hold three registration days – Saturday, February 9, Saturday, February 16 (both 11am-1pm) and Thursday, February 21 (5pm-6.30pm).

All three sessions will be held at Hollymount Oval, Woonona, off Alice Street.