Mini League Saved!
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:06 amGreat news, here's the article,
We all kick-in to save mini-league
January 28, 2007 12:15am
PEOPLE power has saved the SANFL's treasured mini-league.
The future of South Australia's half-time tradition is guaranteed for at least the next two years after the State Government, through its "Be Active" campaign, agreed to kick in $50,000 a year to keep mini-league's 37-year history alive.
The money will cover costs including new guernseys, footballs, promotional signage and transport for regional schools. Each player will receive a showbag pushing the "Be Active" cause.
Parents can also buy video copies of games.
The lifeline – after a campaign driven by Sunday Mail sports columnist Chris McDermott – comes in response to public outcry at the institution's possible scrapping this year.
It defies recommendations from SANFL clubs to mothball the mini-league program. Port Adelaide and South Adelaide had vowed to maintain the game-day custom in some form.
Former sponsor Coca-Cola has withdrawn its naming rights from the program, but the soft-drink icon has not reduced its cash backing to the SANFL.
SANFL general manager of game development James Fantasia said the league had yet to settle on a structure for the 2007 program.
He said the taxpayer-funded boost could deliver additional programs, such as kicking contests, run next to the half-time matches.
"That's the only part of the equation we haven't been able to nail yet and that will happen when we meet with the clubs," Fantasia said.
"But what we definitely won't be doing is detracting from the mini-league concept with those other activities."
Mij Looker, 45, and son Ned, 10, of Stonyfell, welcomed the retention of mini-league.
Ned, who will play for new school Pembroke this year, was awaiting his shot at mini-league having previously played Auskick at a Port Adelaide AFL game.
"It was pretty fun; we got to have a run around in front of heaps of people – that was cool," Ned said.
"The mini-league is good. I like watching the little kids kicking the ball."
Mij, who formerly coached Ned at Magill Primary School, was among the first generation of mini-leaguers when he played for Glenelg against South Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
"That was the first time we got an idea of how important footy was to people," Mr Looker said.
"You need memories in sport and this is one where the kids just love every second of it."
Former Adelaide defender Ben Hart, a veteran of 311 AFL games, was so touched by his mini-league experience he saved clusters of turf from then Football Park.
"I was at the Roosters at the time but I remember keeping the grass off my boots in the little bag I carried them in for at least two years; that's how excited I was to walk on to Footy Park," Hart said.
Mini-league incorporates more than 3500 children every SANFL season.
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