North Melbourne will return to Tasmania in February, as the club hosts the 2017 Australia Post AFL Community Camp in the country’s southern-most state.
Ben Brown, one of the most recognisable Tasmanians in the AFL, said he was thrilled to be heading ‘home’ for the pre-season camp.
“Whenever we get to go down to Tassie, obviously I love it and the other guys like going down there as well,” Brown told NMFC.com.au.
“We get to go all around Tasmania to a lot of schools and get to work with kids and adults alike and spread the message.
“I think it’s great the fans are getting around us and really making North Melbourne Tasmania’s team.”
AFL General Manager Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean, said the Australia Post AFL Community Camps are an important vehicle in recognising that grassroots football and the community are the lifeblood of Australia’s Game.
“The Australia Post AFL Community Camps allow us to highlight the connection Australian Football has with communities right around the country,” Mr Lethlean said.
“Following the success of part one of the Fremantle Football Club’s Australia Post AFL Community Camp in Broome, we’re excited the remainder of their squad and the other 17 clubs will visit fans across all corners of Australia in early 2017.
“Community Camps are the perfect platform for fans, no matter where they live across our wide country, access to their favourite players.
“Many of the clubs have also aligned their Australia Post AFL Community Camp locations to their Next Generation AFL Club Academies.
“The academies are designed to utilise the strength of clubs to grow and develop our game, and ensure it’s representative, inclusive and embraces gender and cultural diversity.”
During the 2016 Australia Post AFL Community camps, over 147,102 school students had visits from AFL players with 823 schools being visited. 4,913 children participated in AFL super clinics, 2,600 people were visited in aged care/hospitals and funds were raised through official functions to assist local junior community football programs.
Andrea Pearman, General Manager of Marketing and Community Relations at Australia Post said: “AFL is a fantastic way to bring people from all walks of life together. A common love of footy can help break down barriers and build social connection. The Australia Post AFL Community Camps provide access to our national game for communities and individuals who may not have the opportunity to enjoy everything the AFL and its clubs have to offer. The camps form part of Australia Post’s ongoing commitment to building healthier, more vibrant and inclusive communities”.
The Australia Post AFL Community Camps started in 2003 and so far have reached a total of 1,118,278 students across 5,873 school visits since the program’s inception.
