Sports club sees huge Auskick turnout, and prepares for competitive soccer

Since returning from a COVID-19 hiatus in November, Docklands Sports Club (DSC) has kicked off a highly successful Auskick program and announced plans to launch a competitive junior soccer team in 2022.

After several re-starts due to COVID-19, Auskick was a huge success at Ron Barassi Snr Park in its opening weeks.

Heavy rain didn’t deter 30 kids (and parents) from attending the opening day on November 13, and a fortnight later the club welcomed more than 60 kids to their picturesque home ground next to the Bolte Bridge.

President Carina Parisella told Docklands News the turnout had exceeded the committee’s expectations.

“As soon as lockdown ended, we were out on the ground, ready to kick off our much-anticipated Auskick with the AFL,” Ms Parisella said.

“After a few reschedules, it was an incredible feeling to bring our local kids together for the launch. We were proud to see the kids trying their best and having a ball at our beloved Ron Barassi Snr Park. The team at the AFL have been a great support, offering five weeks of sessions for free for Docklands families.”

The club, which launched in late 2019, has steadily grown its membership base in the first two years of operation.

Alongside Auskick, it also offered junior soccer and cricket programs.

In November it announced it was planning the next phase of expansion, with an eye to submitting a competitive junior soccer team (with Football Victoria) in 2022.

Ms Parisella said there had already been strong interest from local parents and kids for the side, which will likely be an under-10s outfit.

“This is an important step in the right direction which helps build the momentum of the club and puts Docklands on the map as an upcoming and vibrant centre of sports and recreation. It was always our intention to get some teams going, we needed a few of our highly successful MiniRoos programs to build the interest and we’re now in a position to move to the next step of competitive junior sport. Docklands Primary School has also been instrumental in drumming up support — thank you to [principal] Adam Bright and the team.”

After Christmas, the club will restart its MiniRoos junior soccer clinics, and launch a summer program of junior cricket.

“We’ll be taking a short break over the festive season as we plan for our next big milestones at the club. On behalf of DSC, we we’d like to wish you and your families a safe and happy festive season,” Ms Parisella said.

If your daughter or son is interested in playing soccer with Docklands Sports Club in 2022, email the club at: [email protected] •

To stay up to date: facebook.com/docklandssportsclub