BY BROOKE VARNEY.
The Coburg Football Club is proud to be affiliated with a number of clubs, ranging from Auskick and Juniors to Superules and FIDA.
Over the past fortnight, interviews with representatives from each team/program were conducted in the hope that the greater Coburg FC community can learn a bit more about the affiliations.
Despite having finished up for the year, Coburg’s Auskick program was a big success; approximately 65 children were registered, including a mix of boys and girls, and for the first time ran for a total of 10 weeks.
Auskick co-ordinator Paul Rocca believes the program is a fundamental part of football, and being aligned with Coburg FC means it shares the same values as the Coburg VFL side.
“It’s all about engaging (the children) and making sure everyone is welcome,” Rocca said in the interview.
The Coburg Juniors is another program that gives children a chance to both play and develop their football skills, which representative Brad Powell explained.
In its second year of full competition, there are two under-9s sides, with plans to expand to field an under-11s in the near future.
“All of the kids love being out on Piranha Park, they love being in the clubrooms, and they love being in the coaches rooms; they just love being a part of (Coburg).”
In the AFL Masters Victorian Metropolitan Superules League, Coburg currently fields four sides; over-35s Mens’ (firsts and seconds), over-45s Mens’, and over-30s Womens’.
“Superules is basically football for old people,” Mens’ and Womens’ President Tony Lombardi explained, while Superules Womens’ representative Kim Robbins thanked “the Coburg Lions for being fantastic in getting lots of women on board.”
In the interview, Lombardi also noted that the introduction of female football this season was a highlight for the club, while Robbins admitted there “has been a season of highlights” for the over-30s Womens’ side.
The Victorian FIDA (Football Integration Development Association) football league is a competition that gives individuals with varying disabilities the chance to play.
As President Piero D’Elia discussed, Coburg’s FIDA side consists of “25 players, both male and female, which ranges from the ages of 14 to 52”.
“There’s a big spectrum of ages, and a big spectrum of disabilities; we don’t tell them there’s a disability though because they just love the football and want to play,” D’Elia continued.
Coburg FC GM Sebastian Spagnuolo summarised Coburg’s VFL season, and described how important the affiliated clubs are.
He also recognised the membership growth as one of the off-field highlights, more than doubling their 290 members from last season.
With just two home games to go, Spagnuolo encourages as many people as possible to get down to Piranha Park this month.
“There are still fantastic opportunities to watch our Lions at Piranha Park, including Werribee (this weekend) and Geelong to round out the season.”
To watch any of the aforementioned interviews, please click the links below:
Coburg Auskick with Paul Rocca
Coburg Juniors with Brad Powell
Coburg Superules with Tony Lombardi & Kim Robbins
Coburg FIDA with Piero D’Elia
Coburg VFL with Sebastian Spagnuolo
#WeAreCoburg
