Almost 1000 children got to the Gabba yesterday afternoon to receive their own Brisbane Lions guernsey, given free to AFL Brisbane Juniors players born in 2007 (under 9’s) as part of a partnership between the Lions and AFLQ.
Every child that registered to play Under 9 Junior Football with AFL Brisbane Juniors in 2016 were invited to the Gabba with their families to watch an exclusive training session and to receive their jumper from a Brisbane Lions player.
AFL Brisbane Juniors Ambassador Liam Dawson welcomed the Brisbane Juniors to the Gabba.
It is hoped the new incentive will encourage Queenslanders to continue to adopt AFL as their chosen sport.
Thirteen of the 47 players on the Brisbane Lions list in 2016 hail from Queensland.
Vice-Captain's Daniel Merrett, Dayne Beams and Dayne Zorko, as well as Tom Bell, Harris Andrews, Jono Freeman, Claye Beams, Liam Dawson, Ben Keays and Eric Hipwood are on the senior list, while Archie Smith, Reuben William and Matthew Hammelmann are on the rookie list.
Free @brisbanelions jumpers 4 every Under 9 player in the region looks like this! #YourClubRepresent #GetToTheGabba pic.twitter.com/k5I5kyJ5wv
— Steele Tallon (@SteeleTallon) April 19, 2016
Lions CEO Greg Swann said the incentive would help encourage Queenslanders to follow and play AFL, as well as giving something back to the footy community.
“We see this as one way of helping to give back to our local grassroots footy community,” said Swann.
“The support we get from local footy clubs is just incredible and goes a long way to helping spread the word on our great sport across the region.
“It’s our plan to have 50 per cent of the playing list being Queenslanders if we can. There’s plenty of home-grown talent out there that we’re hoping can find its way into our Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy.’’
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