Dockers Resume Primary School VisitsTuesday, February 21, 2023 - 12:13 PM

A campaign to promote football in metropolitan primary schools in WA has returned.

The bulk of the Fremantle Dockers Men’s playing squad attended nine schools last week, with each school representing one WAFL district.

Regan Atkinson, Schools Specialist at the West Australian Football Commission, welcomed the resumption of the program.

“The sessions were fantastic and we received a heap of positive feedback from the players, WAFC Development staff and the schools.

The last time we ran these appearances in their “normal” capacity was in early 2020, and since then, throughout the COVID period, we completed some of these virtually. 

It was great to see face-to-face access between schools and AFL players after years of interruptions,” Atkinson said.

The two-hour visits provide the platform to grow junior football on several fronts.

“The ability to promote footy throughout schools in the metro area via face-to-face engagement with AFL players is critical.

It also encourages participation through the Play AFL campaign, which encourages students to sign up to their local junior football club or Auskick centre.

In addition, the meet and greet creates awareness of the AFL for new participants or fans, as well as pushing the brand of the Fremantle Football Club in this instance with the prospect of growing the club’s fan base,” he said.

 See below the list of schools which took part in last week’s program.