Moree Suns AFL Club will be providing Moree residents with another fun, social sporting option to play during the summer months with the launch of an AFL9s competition this Friday.
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AFL9s is a modified, non-contact, social version of AFL, involving a smaller field with nine players on each team.
Moree Suns AFL9s competition manager Ash Jones said the club decided to introduce the Friday evening social competition as a way to encourage more people to play AFL.
“The idea is to get the town involved in AFL; to develop the sport a bit more and get more seniors and older juniors into the club,” he said.
“AFL9s is more laid-back. It’s a non-contact, touch-based sport, making it easier to for people to learn. They don’t have to know the rules. Everyone’s still learning.”
The mixed competition is open to male and female players aged 14 years and up, of all skill and fitness levels. No knowledge of the actual AFL game is required to play.
Teams play nine on the field at a time with unlimited interchange. A minimum of three females is required on the field at all times, and girls receive extra points when they score.
Games are 30 minutes long, split into two 15-minute halves.
Being non-contact, AFL9s requires players to implement a touch in place of a tackle, allowing people to develop AFL skills in a less competitive environment.
The Moree competition will be held at Ron Harbone Oval every Friday for the next seven weeks, beginning this Friday, November 2 at 5.30pm with an introduction by representatives from AFL NSW.
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The first night is a come and try event, so those who are interested but don’t have a team are encouraged to come along and give it a go. If they enjoy it, a team can be found for them.
Those who don’t want to play are also encouraged to come down and either support, volunteer, or umpire.
Each week there’ll be a canteen running and a barbecue sponsored by South Moree Butchers, as well as a meat tray raffle.
So far seven teams have registered to take part, which Jones said is very encouraging.
“We’re surprised with how many numbers it’s brought in so far,” he said.
“It’s really beneficial for the club.”
Jones said it’s the perfect game for anyone looking to have fun and be active, while still enjoying an end-of-week catch-up with friends.
He encourages people to get a team together and give the sport a go.
“It’s just a really good sport, it’s great for fitness and health,” he said.
“It’s surprising how much running you do and how fit it keeps you. It’s such a fun sport in general.”
Registration is still open. To register a team or individually, go to http://afl9s.com.au. Cost is $150 per team.
For more information, or to get in contact with the club about finding a team, go to the Moree Suns AFL Club AFL 9s Facebook page.
