Albany Starkick program extends season and looks to build on its success for 2023

Stuart McGuckin Albany Advertiser, Tue, 30 August 2022 3:00AM

A successful start to an all-abilities and all-inclusive football program in Albany has prompted the organiser to keep it running for longer than he had planned.

Albany Starkick co-ordinator Mitch Tuffley said the program, which kicked off for the first time at the start of June, was originally planned to run alongside the now complete Auskick season.

“I’ve suggested we continue for a few more weeks as I’m starting to see some real positive changes in the kids,” he said.

“We’ve also had some join only in the last two weeks so I’d like to keep going. All the kids seemed very excited to carry on so I’m more than happy to continue if they are.”

Starkick coordinator Mitch Tuffley works through some drills. Credit: Laurie Benson

The program is designed for children aged 5-17 who are unable to or no longer willing to participate in mainstream sporting team programs.

Mr Tuffley said up to 14 children were now taking part every Saturday morning and feedback from the parents had been overwhelmingly positive.

“When I hear that some of the kids are getting home after school and now wanting to go outside and kick the footy, that makes me very happy and you know it’s having an impact,” he said.

“Some of the parents tell me that the opportunity to participate in mainstream sports became limited and less supportive to the varying abilities as the skill gap expanded, which caused some of the kids to lose interest in sports.

“StarKick allows the kids to do exactly what all their friends are doing, just in a more suitable environment.”

Starkick participants warmed up early before doing some ball work. Credit: Laurie Benson

He said the main goal of the program was to make sure the children had fun, but he had also seen “dramatic improvements” in the level of social interaction between the children, parents, helpers and himself.

“The change in the kids’ confidence, attitude and communication is very evident and that’s the most important thing for me,” he said.

“I love the chats we have each week, seeing who’s footy team won, and they all love reminding me when the Tigers lose.

“I distinctly remember how much I loved footy as a kid and how important it was to me, so I’m sure it can have the same influence on these kids.”

Starkick coordinator Mitch Tuffley works through some drills. Credit: Laurie Benson

He said the program would return next season and that he would like it to grow further into the Great Southern, beyond Albany.

“If there’s an opportunity to grow further throughout the Great Southern and rural towns, I’ll do it,” he said.

“The community support has also been great. I’ve had kind people offering buy boots, footy jumpers for the kids and plenty of people offering help and sponsorship.

“So this firms up my thoughts that there’s definitely a need for a program like this to be run locally.”

Starkick coordinator Mitch Tuffley works through some drills. Credit: Laurie Benson

Starkick coordinator Mitch Tuffley works through some drills. Credit: Laurie Benson

Coordinators Mitch Tuffley and Stef Ericson explain a warm up drill. Credit: Laurie Benson

Starkick participants warmed up with running races. Credit: Laurie Benson

Starkick in action Saturday morning. Credit: Laurie Benson

Starkick co-ordinators Mitch Tuffley and Stef Ericson with participants on Saturday morning. Credit: Laurie Benson