Brisbane Lions expanding AFL in Toowoomba through Keidean Coleman and Anthony Corrie

Brisbane Lions AFL stars have visited Toowoomba as part of the Auskick Murri Carnival program. See which players were in town to promote AFL in the Darling Downs here.

Keidean Coleman (left) of the Brisbane Lions with kids at the Auskick Murri Carnival program in Toowoomba.

Current and former Brisbane Lions stars Keidean Coleman and Anthony Corrie were in Toowoomba this week to help spread the game as part of the Auskick Murri Carnival Program.

Children had the chance to test their skills against current Lions star Coleman, who cherished the opportunity to give back to the community.

“It is awesome, when you are young, you look up to people and although these guys aren’t familiar with AFL, it is good to show your face and it is more about networking and bringing the game to them,” he said.

“It is good to come out see a lot of smiles on faces.

“Part of the Brisbane Lions and our playing group is getting out to the community, especially the Western Corridor like Toowoomba and the Darling Downs area to expand our game and expand our brand as an AFL business.

Keidean Coleman of the Brisbane Lions with kids at the Auskick Murri Carnival program in Toowoomba.

“I had a great opportunity to come out and get about a few young kids and do a few Auskick games with them, so just getting out and having a bit of fun.”

Former Brisbane Lions player and current Lions Indigenous wellbeing and engagement officer Corrie said initiatives like these were some of the highlights of his job.

“One of the things I like most about my job is I can actually give back to the community in a genuine way,” he said.

“So it is more to connect with the Indigenous communities but also the non-Indigenous communities to help expose the game anyway to people who have always had NRL or other codes in mind, so we come out here to help.”

After a 56-game AFL career between 2004 and 2010, Corrie is proud to provide Indigenous support to the current crop of players.

“I look after the six Indigenous players we have on our list but then also our three Indigenous players that we have in our academy for level three under-18s,” he said.

“Then the engagement side of things is more getting out to the community and give back in a way that benefits the community.

“Back then probably 10 or 20 years ago when I played, we didn’t have that support, we had a player development manager and a wellbeing officer but we just didn’t have that cultural side of things.

Anthony Corrie playing for the Brisbane Lions.

“To have that role now in the AFL system, it goes a long way.”

One of the major focuses of the initiative was to introduce AFL to children with little experience of the sport.

“It is more like a an Auskick program, it is modified which allows kids to have a taste of AFL in particular ages from 5 to 12,” he said.

“It is a collaboration with AFL Darling Downs, AFL Queensland, Brisbane Lions and also FKG (Group), so it just gives kids an opportunity to try a different sport because we are in NRL heartland.

“Nowadays you have a look at the NRL and there’s kids probably the size of myself and there are other kids that are skinny and athletic so they’re the kids that excel in AFL and even the women’s space at the moment too.

“It gives the girls and boys an opportunity to have another avenue to become an elite athlete.”

FKG Group GM of property development Jack Gardner was delighted to help play a part in giving back to the Darling Downs community.

“Toowoomba is our backyard which makes it even more special to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to us,” he said.

“Whenever there is a great initiative like this that really does give back to the community it is a no-brainer to get on board and help out where we can.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions expanding AFL in Toowoomba through Keidean Coleman and Anthony Corrie