Carlton Football Club conducts open training and Auskick session as Australian Rules Football comes to Abu Dhabi

Children from Abu Dhabi were given a hands-on opportunity this weekend to learn one of Australia’s most popular sports from the superstars that play the game.

Players from the Carlton Football Club, who are visiting Abu Dhabi as part of their pre-season training camp, took time to teach hundreds of local children the sport of Australian Rules Football.

Based in Melbourne, Carlton is the most successful football team within Australia’s largest and most popular domestic sporting organisation - the Australian Football League (AFL).

Staged on the iconic ovals at Emirates Palace, the public was invited to watch the players train, before the children were split into small groups for practical skills sessions.

Known as the NAB AFL Auskick Program, this training initiative is aimed at introducing children across Australia and the world to the game of AFL.

The program also encourages healthy lifestyles and aims to create stronger links between children, parents and the community.

Leading Carlton player, Heath Scotland, said the Auskick program was a major highlight for all the players.

“This is a very unique opportunity for us and we feel very privileged to be able to share our knowledge, skills and coaching techniques to such eager children,” he said.

“We all feel very passionate about not only helping develop and promote the AFL in Abu Dhabi, but also the UAE’s emerging reputation in world sport.”