The Stawell under-13 football competition and the Auskick program are gearing up for a big return in 2021 with strong numbers of players already registered.
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There had been some doubts about how the under-13 competition and Auskick program would go ahead, but around 60 players are ready to be involved in each in 2021.
The under-13 football competition will have training sessions at North Park from 4-5pm on Wednesdays, with games at Central Park from 6-8pm on Fridays.
Ahead of the first round on Friday April 30, the group will be split into four teams, with one game from 6-7pm and the other from 7-8pm, with the games to be played across the whole field.
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Stawell under-13 football competition coordinator Andrew Dunn said he is excited to see so many juniors wanting to play football and he encouraged others to come and join at any time.
"I'd encourage any kids and parents just to get along, it is a good little club and for them to come and join our club is a step into joining footy clubs in the future," he said.
"It is a good stepping stones of football before moving on to bigger age groups."
To help ensure enough numbers for the Stawell under-13 competition in 2021, the age groups have been changed so that some players who are slightly older and some who are slightly younger can be eligible to play depending on their ability.
Mr Dunn said the league is also looking forward to organising the annual Tuckey-Turner game in 2021.
For one round of the season, Scott Turner, who played for Richmond and is from Ararat, and Brent Tuckey who played for Collingwood and West Coast and is from Stawell, come down and coach the respective teams.
Another important part of junior football in Stawell is the Auskick program, which runs for players aged between kindergarten and grade six.
Stawell Auskick coordinator Shane Field said he was excited to get the program running with sessions at Central Park from 4:30-5:30pm each Friday.
"It really is for any kids around the town who want to run around and develop their skills and we encourage boys and girls to come and play," he said.
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"At the moment we have between 60 - 65 participants and it is just about team-building skills and developing their football skills, so they can go up and play under-13s.
"It is also important to have them around their friends and again and it gives them a chance to be around their friends in a different environment than school."
Mr Field also said that players who are young enough to play Auskick and old enough to play in the under-13 competition can, and are encouraged to register for both, as it will allow them to learn the skills and then apply them in a game afterwards.
The Auskick program starts on Friday April 23. For more information or to register contact Shane Field or visit the NAB Auskick website.
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