The Balgowlah Suns Junior AFL Club is a thriving sports club located in Sydney, Australia. Established in 2015, the club has experienced rapid growth and has become a prominent force in the Australian Football League (AFL) community.
The club initially started with 54 Auskickers, a programme designed for young children to learn and enjoy the game of Australian Rules football. Since then, the Auskick group has grown to over 100 kids, showcasing the popularity and success of the club in engaging and developing the next generation of AFL athletes.
In addition to the Auskick programme, the Balgowlah Suns Junior AFL Club boasts multiple junior teams competing in the Sydney Juniors competition. The club currently fields teams in various age groups, including Under 9's, Under 10s, Under 11's, and Under 12's boys teams. They also have a strong focus on promoting women's participation in the sport, with two girls' teams, Under 12's and Under 15's, as well as three Youth girls' teams competing.
The success of the Balgowlah Suns Junior AFL Club is evident through their achievements. In 2017, the club was recognised for its rapid growth and awarded the 'Highest Nett Growth' among all clubs in the Sydney Harbour region. They were further honoured with the 'Best Club' award on the North Shore. The club's teams have also displayed their talent on the field, with four out of seven teams winning their age group Grand Finals in 2017.
The growth of the club has continued in subsequent years. In 2018, they saw a significant increase in registrations, with 150 Auskick participants and 170 junior players. They expanded their junior teams to 10 and established a strong base of three Youth girls' teams. The following year, the club introduced Under 14's and Under 16's girls' teams, bringing their total girl's team count to four.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Balgowlah Suns Junior AFL Club persevered and saw continued growth in membership. They fielded 18 teams, five of which made it to the finals. The Under 11 Division 1 team emerged as topship winners, showcasing the club's resilience and dedication even in unprecedented times.
The club prides itself on providing a supportive and inclusive environment for boys and girls aged 4 to 18. They offer opportunities for children of all skill levels to learn and develop their AFL skills, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and enjoyment of the game.
The Balgowlah Suns Junior AFL Club invites young athletes and their families to join them in their pursuit of sporting excellence.