The growing band of Dubbo Demons juniors will have further access to high-level coaching thanks to a grant secured by Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders.
Mr Saunders visited South Dubbo Oval recently to announce $1800 from the Local Sport Grant Program would go towards a ‘Kicking Dynamics’ session with top coach Tim Schmidt.
“Australian Rules Football is a growing sport in Dubbo, and more of our players are reaching representative levels because the club has built a relationship with quality coaches,” Mr Saunders said.
“Kicking is the key component to the game, so it is great that the club is placing an emphasis on ensuring its players get access to an elite coach that teaches the proper techniques. It’s certainly more complicated than just dropping the ball on the boot.”
Dubbo Junior AFL president Merinda Roll said the funding will allow the club to bring Mr Schmidt back for another intensive session with players aged from 10-16.
“We get them through the Auskick phase and then when they’re at this level we try and expose them to elite and professional services like Kicking Dynamics,” she said.
“Because it is such an elite level of coaching, it is expensive and hard to get on a regular basis, but we have seen a huge increase in capabilities of the kids that have been exposed to the program previously, and every child walks away with things to work on.”