Elijah’s experience on the big AFL stageWednesday, April 12, 2017 - 11:13 AM

Elijah Ihanimo from Harrisdale was the envy of all kids when the Piara Waters Junior Football Club Auskicker was announced the second weekly nominee for the 2017 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year competition.

The six-year-old flew to Melbourne for the Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans clash at Etihad where he got the opportunity to play a grid game of footy at halftime and talk to sports broadcaster Hamish McLachlan.

Elijah said he was very excited when he found out he was an Auskicker of the Year nominee.

“I was so excited when mum told me,” he said.

“It was totally epic and I couldn’t believe it!”

Elijah’s mum Taryn said the experience at Etihad Stadium was a very special one for the entire family.

“It was a truly amazing experience we, as a family, will never forget. We all lived a childhood dream to walk down on the oval and watch our little one play in front of a crowd of more 50,000.”

This year marks Elijah’s second season of Auskick at Piara Waters JFC and Taryn couldn’t be happier with how much fun it has been for him.

“Footy has been great for his co-ordination and fitness. He loves to be outside and running around,” she said.

“Auskick has helped him make quick decisions and develop his skills and he is encouraged to be a team player and through this he has formed great friendships with other kids in our local community.”

Elijah wanted to play Auskick because his dad played footy and he also loved watching his favourite team the West Coast Eagles.

“My favourite player is Josh Kennedy because he kicks a lot of goals and Matt Priddis because he won the Brownlow,” Elijah said.

“I like kicking goals like Kennedy and marking the footy and playing with my friends.”

Taryn said the application process for the Auskicker of the Year competition was super easy and encouraged all parents to give it a go.

“The entry process was really easy! We submitted a short video clip showing Elijah kicking a goal in our backyard along with some answers to a series of questions about why he loves playing Auskick, his favourite team and player,” she said.

Elijah will join 21 other lucky NAB AFL Auskicker weekly nominees in Melbourne for an unforgettable experience that will also include walking in the parade and playing on the hallowed turf of the MCG at half-time on Grand Final day.

It only gets better for Elijah, he now has the chance to be crowned the overall NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year which will be announced at an awards dinner in Melbourne during Grand Final Week.

The lucky 2017 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year winner will receive $5,000 in a NAB Reward Saver Account and Geelong Football Club captain Joel Selwood as their personal footy mentor for 2018.

To join Elijah and be in the running to win this incredible experience, parents and guardians can enter their 2017 registered NAB AFL Auskick participant into the NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year competition by uploading a short video featuring their Auskicker in action at home or in the backyard; kicking goals, commentating or taking a speccy.

In the video entry, Auskickers should also explain why they think they should be the 2017 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year.

To enter the competition, parents and guardians of 2017 registered NAB AFL Auskick participants should visit nab.com.au/auskick

Competition closes on Thursday August 3.