The club is aiming to enter two teams in the Lake George Junior AFL Competition, to be comprised of boys or girls who turn 10, 11, or 12 this year. 

MFC Chairman, Andy Ingold, believes that the reception the club got from its inaugural Auskick program late last year will lead to a positive reception for its first try at competitive football. 

“It [the Auskick] was a massive success, and I must admit on the Facebook page now we are get a lot of people asking if there’s anything for the kids younger than the age group we’re asking for,” Mr Ingold said. 

“I’m sure we will be able to get at least one team.” 

The competition itself starts on February 17, and will run for six weeks while acting as a proverbial ‘toe in the water’ for those kids who haven’t played competitive AFL before. 

“Hopefully the kids that haven’t played the game before, if they can have a bit of a run-around at this and enjoy it, it might be that stepping-stone into the real season,” Mr Ingold said. 

Due to the fact that the competition is targeted at children who are relatively new to the sport, the rules have been adjusted slightly. 

These changes include teams of only 12, instead of the standard 22, while tackling, which is still allowed, must be more akin to a “bear hug”, said Mr Ingold. 

Mr Ingold will also coach one of the teams to enter the competition. He said that he is looking forward to the challenge, having coached previously when his son was young. 

“I’ve done a little bit of coaching back when my young fella was Under 8’s,” he said. 

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so I’ve just gotta start somewhere I suppose. 

“We’ll see how it goes, I can only pass on a little bit of what I’ve done.” 

If the club can muster up two teams, the position of the second coach will also need to be filled, however Mr Ingold is sure that one of the parents or another board member will raise their hand if necessary. 

The competition will comprise of teams from Murrumbateman, Goulburn, Yass, Gundaroo, and Bungendore. 

The cost of registration is $40 per child, which also allows them their own football as well. 

Venues for the matches will be rotated, and each team will host one round.