Article Source: https://www.kidspot.com.au/school/primary/extracurricular/my-kids-weekly-afl-game-is-our-favourite-family-ritual/news-story/d230ae70a0856c567091fbef120e0930

Early each Saturday morning, we’ve made the pilgrimage to Queen’s Park to watch our son Harvey play for the Ammos Blue Under 10s.

The weather has ranged from miserable to bitter. Occasionally the dew is frost. And watching those little fingers, red with chill, reach for the hard, slippery ball has the adults engaged in a collective wince.

In the minds of the children the cold is absent. Their attention is entirely focused, with an intent befitting the most important moment of the week. Tackle is landed. Ball is grabbed. Kick is executed. And their visible cold breath envelopes them as they trot back to their position: mission accomplished.

The wisdom of the football huddle

Before the game the three coaches – Craig, Wayne and Jamie – huddle around the white board discussing team structure. One has played AFL. The other two have had decorated senior careers in the local leagues. But today they are Dads coaching the only game that matters. The kids gather round and listen with big eyes and total belief. Wisdom is being imparted here. The oracles speak.

“Take a knee kids, take a knee. Remember our rules. We tackle hard. We love our ground balls. Run fast and pass it to a mate.”

Had these words been received on Mt Sinai they could hardly have been more significant. To watch this exchange is to see children partake in the learnings of holy writ.

For the parents the pure engagement in life by their offspring is intoxicating. The enthusiasm of the coaches and the innocence of the kids blend together into the most fabulous expression of belonging to a community.