KICK AROUND AUSTRALIA

Thursday 7 August will mark 150 years since the first recorded game of football was played. To celebrate this milestone, Kick Around Australia Day has been scheduled, giving all Australians the opportunity to join in the celebrations.

As part of Kick Around Australia Day, primary and secondary schools around the country are encouraging students to wear their footy colours to school, organise kicking and handballing competitions or complete one of the new footy themed programs that have been developed in line with the curriculum.

To register your school, visit afl.com.au/schools.

Businesses across Australia are also invited to join in the celebrations by offering employees the opportunity to stop work and have a kick of the footy on August 7 or wear their footy scarf to work. 

Community football clubs can take part in the festivities by holding a BBQ or pie night after training

To find out more about how you get involved in Kick Around Australia Day, visit 150years.com.au.

The AFL Northern Territory is looking for Level 2 accredited field umpires for it’s up coming 2008/09 NTFL season. If you are looking for an opportunity to fast track your umpiring career then this may be for you.

The AFL Northern Territory will be offering 4 -6 contracts for the 2008/09 TIO NTFL season. The AFLNT will pay the bond for rental accommodation, travel costs from your current address and return flights home for Christmas. You will also be paid in-accordance of the AFLNT/NTFLUA’s new 3 year CBA agreement. If you are successful AFLNT will endeavour to assist you to find employment whilst in Darwin. To become a successful applicant in this program you will need to consider following points: 

• Must have Level 2 NUAS in Australian Rules Football Field Umpiring
• Must be available to Field Umpire during the 2008/09 TIO NTFL season which runs from 4th of October 2008 to 22nd of March 2009 with a week break during the festive season
• Field Umpire to the best of your ability
• Prepare fully and professionally
• Learn as much as you possibly can during games and at training sessions
• Behave well on and off field
• Enjoy the whole experience of what the Northern Territory has to offer

Past participants in the NTFL competition include current AFL Umpires Hayden Kennedy and Brett Rosebury. Brett umpired the 1998/99 NTFL season and the NTFL grand final before heading back to his WAFL umpiring panel. Since 2000, he has been a member of the AFL panel. Brett said “it was a great experience in the Top End for the 6 months I was there and it was a great stepping stone in my career by umpiring good quality footy in a 3 umpire system”. Scott McPhee (WAFL) is also an interstate field umpired who spent last season in the Top End umpiring in the NTFL. He has recently umpired in the 2007 NAB Under 18 National Championships. You can contact Scott on smcphee84@optusnet.com.au to find out more about his Top End experiences.

For further details about this once in a life time opportunity please contact:

Mark Noonan -Umpiring Development Manager
AFL Northern Territory
Phone: (08) 8980 4811
Mobile: 0411 037 811
Email: mnoonan@aflnt.com.au

Applications close Tuesday 19^th August 2008- 5pm CST