Jade Auldist, The Riverine Grazier
In a day they’ll never forget, a group of lucky Auskick kids from Hay were given the opportunity of a lifetime, thanks to our dedicated Auskick coordinator, Leah Wythes.
On Sunday, they stepped onto the turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to play at halftime during the sold-out AFL clash between Carlton and Hawthorn.
After watching the first quarter from prime seats, it was time for the main event. Parent helpers led the youngsters to the warm-up rooms, where they transformed into Carlton, Hawthorn, or Auskick players.
Then, it was their moment. As the halftime siren sounded, the kids ran onto the field, greeted by the roar of the crowd. For 10 minutes, they played their hearts out. The older Hay kids, representing Carlton, showed their trademark determination, proving that they were there to win.
The experience didn’t end there. After the game, the older kids had the thrill of running onto the field with the AFL teams, high-fiving their heroes as they went.
It was a fitting end to an unforgettable day for these country kids, a day that will stay with them for a lifetime.
The rising stars who appeared at the MGC were: Darby Wythes, Rowie Wythes, Willow Bush, Lucy Bush, Alaska Phillips, Sahara Phillips, Nyla Phillips, Riley Garner, Beau Garner, Bella Garner, George Schiller, Bobby Auldist, Grace Auldist, Jim Jamieson, Lenny Bunyan, Rhyla Bunyan, Ned Harrison, Jack Harrison and Xander Bienzobas.
This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 14 August 2024.