Buddy Makes A Big Impression in WAWednesday, May 7, 2025 - 1:55 PM

NAB AFL Superkick ambassador Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin returned home to WA to help launch the second full year of the program.

The former Hawthorn and Sydney champion, who played 354 games between the two clubs, finished his career as a dual premiership player, an eight time All Australian and a four time Coleman Medallist who kicked 1066 goals.

Franklin was a special guest of Bateman Primary School (EF district), Assumption Catholic Primary School (Peel district) and Parkfield Primary School (Southwest).

It’s estimated nearly 1,000 children attended Franklin’s Friday appearances in WA.

Superkick is typically run for 7–12-year-olds across WA, however this “Buddy Season Launch” event rolled out the program for seven-year-olds only in the Southwest as an extra step in their development between Auskick and Community Footy.

Franklin earlier this year sang the praises of Superkick.

“The kids had a ball at the Superkick clinic, and it was great to see everyone having fun and giving footy a try,” Franklin said.

“With Superkick it doesn’t matter what skill level kids have, it’s all about having a go.”

Kellie Denneman, PE Teacher at Assumption Catholic Primary School, was excited to be chosen to host the AFL great.

“Thanks for a wonderfully well organised day on Friday,” Denneman said.

“We are so very lucky to have been chosen to have Buddy come visit us at Assumption.

“The kids and staff are still buzzing.”

Eaton Junior Football Club declared the event has produced immediate results.

“It went so well that one of our dads has stepped up to help out our Superkick coach so now they can do the role together”

NAB AFL Superkick is for children who are looking to develop their skills or who are picking up a footy for the first time.

The tackle-free program boasts smaller team sizes and a shorter season, providing the perfect introduction for new participants to connect with footy at their own pace in a fun and inclusive environment.

Delivered at the same location each week at local centres and clubs, the one-hour sessions are broken down into four quarters consisting of engaging skill games and activities (15 minutes) followed by match play (45 minutes).

The Superkick program is proving a big hit this year with 800 participants already registering in WA this year.

After reaching its first milestone of more than 10,000 participants nationally in its first season last year, the program has already eclipsed that number in 2025, with the program aiming to hit more than 25,000 registered participants this season.

There are now more than 142 community NAB AFL Superkick centres around the country, an increase of more than 500 per cent from 2024.