On an Island nation where Aussie rules football reigns supreme, one can imagine the excitement generated when the news was announced by AFL Nauru that 2 or possibly 3 AFL stars were planning to come to Nauru.
The country was abuzz with excitement!
The organization Save the Children funded the visit as part of their community engagement programs and they worked with AFL Nauru, Connect and AFL Australia to make it happen.
On September 9, retired AFL star David Rodan accompanied by AFL Ben Drew arrived in Nauru.
The following day they quickly sprang into action holding footy clinics and training at the famous Linkbelt oval in Aiwo. This was followed by a visit to the Jab oval in Meneng, where Ashley Prescott current assistant coach for the Gold Coast suns, who had just arrived, joined them. Together they conducted junior footy clinics and coaching course.
The turnout was great with around 50-100 kids and adults turning up and enjoying their moment in the sun with the visiting AFL stars.
Saturday September 12 was the main event, where a fun day of AFL activities was arranged. Kicking, hand-balling, relays and other fun games were played.
Rodan even became a mobile targeting the game of ‘’ bomb the teacher’’. At the lunch break free bbq and drinks were served and the kids were treated to a live rap concert. Face paintings and henna stalls were also very popular with everyone not just the small kids but even their parents. Many locals also took the opportunity to take pictures with the visiting AFL stars, Digicel also took part in this event as sponsoring tent etc..
Before they flew out, Rodan, Prescott and Ben got a taste of our fishing.
Capelle charters took them out the morning before they flew out and true to form they all caught a tuna each.
Ben Drew was so generous that he shared half his tuna with one of the local dolphins.
