Schools attend AFL day

Three Peninsula primary schools will compete in the AFL Paul Kelly Cup Gala Day at East Gosford on April 1.

Woy Woy South Public School, St John the Baptist Primary School and Ettalong Public School will take part in the AFL gala day along with 22 other Central Coast primary schools.

The gala day at Hylton Moore Oval, East Gosford, is one of two to be held on the Central Coast.

AFL Central Coast development manager Mr John Deitz said the gala days have had a huge response with more than 600 Year 5 and 6 students taking part.

"The two winners from each carnival will play each other in a Central Coast final in term two, with the winner of this match advancing to the state final in Sydney on September 14," Mr Deitz said.

He said 36 teams from a total of 25 primary schools have entered into the Central Coast gala day event.

"This is a fantastic result which shows extremely positive signs for the sport with so many schools and children willing to part and play AFL," Mr Deitz said.

"These positive signs were also on the back of an intense period of promotional activities throughout the school community.

"Last year more than more than 10,000 children from 904 school teams across NSW competed in the Paul Kelly Cup.

"Between March and June this year, more than 12,000 children are expected to compete in local gala days across NSW.

"The aim is to ensure the safety of the participants and to provide a fun environment to learn the skills of AFL."

Press release, 24 Mar 2009 Dave Dunning, AFL NSW/ACT