In another Auskick showdown last Saturday, three new schools entered the gauntlet at the AIS North Campus, ready to take on the challenge. From the get-go, it was clear that these new athletes brought with them a higher level of intensity. They were bigger, stronger, louder, rougher and faster than last week’s opposition. It was no doubt intimidating at the beginning of the match, especially considering our outdoor vacuum cleaner, Iyad, was not available due to oversleeping.

The game kicked off with AIS making an explosive start. Loic, one of the stars of the team, quickly asserted himself, booting two impressive goals to give AIS an early 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Max continued his superhero-like gamestyle, executing tackle after tackle. During the match, there was a moment of confusion from the crowd regarding which superhero he resembled the most – Superman, Batman, Spiderman – but his green shirt made it clear that he was none other than Mighty Max, although one confused spectator had to be corrected from thinking he was the Green Lantern.

Despite being ahead by 2 goals, the opposing team proved to be no pushovers. Through determination and tenacity, they fought their way back into the match, scoring two goals to level the scores. As King Julian (Loic) likes to “Move it - Move it” in the Madagascar Show, he also likes to “Kick it  - Kick it” on the footy field; goals that is. And that’s exactly what he did. Just seconds before the halftime siren sounded, he capped off an impressive first half with his third goal, propelling AIS to a 3-2 lead. The crowd erupted with joy, rising from their seats to offer a standing ovation to the players as they headed to the bench for a well-deserved halftime break.

During the break, the boys watched the girls competing fiercely in their match. Even though the AIS girls weren't represented on this occasion, it was still an enthralling contest. Greatness was unfolding before our eyes as one girl from the blue team named Cathy, booted 10 goals and racked up 180 supercoach points. Certainly, a star of the future and an inspiration to girls of all ages. After ten minutes of quality football, the siren sounded to signal the end of the girls’ match and the beginning of the second half of the boys’ game. 

The contest remained intense, with neither team able to score a goal. Seungmin emerged as an impennatrable force. He played as if he was as tall as a tree and as wide as a wall. Donald Trump promised to “Make America Great Again” in his election campaign by building a wall. Seungmin made AIS Great again by playing like a wall and keeping the ball out of our backline at all costs. Whenever the opposition kicked forward, Seumgmin was there to meet the ball, like he was meeting a friend on a play-date. Onlookers were left flabbergasted as to how one person could be in multiple places at once. His performance was so captivating that he forgot his hat and left it behind at the north campus.

If Speedy Gonzales is the fastest mouse in Mexico, his cousin, Aiden Gonzales staked his claim as the fastest Auskicker in Jakarta. Due to his consistent performance across all matches this term, his fan base is steadily outgrowing that of his much loved rodent cousin.

As the second half unfolded, neither team managed to find their way to the goals, resulting in a hard-fought 3-2 victory for AIS.

In the post-match celebration, Mighty Max posed for photograps with the opposition schools and signed autographs tirelessly for his adoring Indonesian fans.

Alexandr shared his thoughts by saying, "Losing the game last week only fueled our hunger, and today we feasted – not on food, but on victory."

With that said, the team remains aware that like the foosas in Madagascar, they are always HUNGRY! Although they may have tasted success this time, they are eagerly anticipating a bigger feast next Saturday. An all-you-can-eat brunch is what’s on the menu for these HUNGRY Auskickers.

Another entertaining Auskick match unfolded on a scorching Saturday, September 2nd, at the AIS North Campus as our Green team, joined forces with the Yellow team to take on the Pink and Blue Schools. While the heat could have been a distraction for a less determined group of athletes, our boys embraced it. 

“You need heat to cook a pizza,” shouted Aiden upon arrival, while constructing the dough. Iyad added the tomato paste, Keano smothered it with cheese, Max spiced it up with some chili, Alexandre added pineapple, putting an end to all arguments against it belonging on a pizza, Matty Coups topped it off with olives, and the team was ready for battle.

From the very first bounce, Aiden delivered on his skills like a Five-star rated Grab driver delivering a pizza. He gathered more possessions and executed more tackles than there were blades of grass on the field.

Keano fearlessly threw himself into the action, disrupting the opposition players and helping AIS create countless opportunities for attacks.

Max, initially known as “Max”, earned himself the nickname of "Mighty Max" due to his superhero-like performance. 

Early in the match, AIS fell behind 2-0; however, the term “give-up” holds no meaning for the mighty AIS Students. Through hard work and sheer grit, AIS managed to level the scores at 2-2 by the end of the first quarter, thanks to a brilliant goal from “Mighty Max”. The crowd was electrified as the home-town athletes made their way to the grandstand for a much needed rest and a pep talk from their inspirational leader. 

“We didn’t come this far to only come this far,” bellowed Aiden, as the players gathered around into a team huddle. “The pizza’s warm but it’s not yet cooked. The cheese hasn’t melted and the base isn’t crispy enough. Let’s get back in the oven and finish this game in style!”

Those motivational words seemed to rub off on the players. In the second half, Iyad worked as hard as a supermarket cleaner after a spill of milk in Aisle 5, the only difference was that he cleaned up the ball, instead of milk.

Matty Couper took on the role of the defensive anchor, gathering the leather ball so much that his hands needed to be inspected for signs of leather poisoning.

Alexandre, filling in for his older brother, played with the poise and skill of a sixth-grader, even though he's only in Year 3. His performance exemplified the spirit of the AIS team.

Unfortunately, towards the end of the match, the opposing team scored a goal, putting them ahead by a single point. Despite a spirited effort, and a shot at goal after the full-time siren, AIS couldn't regain the lead and ultimately lost the match 3-2.

Although losing the match, there is one thing that the team hasn’t lost, and that is their HUNGER! They are more determined than ever to keep improving and representing AIS in future matches. The future looks bright for this remarkable group of young Auskick Athletes. 

The thrill of camaraderie and competition intersected beautifully on a scorching Saturday afternoon, August 5th, as students from AIS and three Indonesian schools - SDN Kebon Pala 03, SDN Kebon Pala 12, and SDN Kebon Pala 13 - came together for an exciting AUSKICK clinic. The session began with a skills session and then a number of matches.

AIS Match Report

As the sun bathed the field, the whistle blew to start the match. AIS in their green shirts ran into their positions on the field, followed by their "electric pink shirt" opponents. It was clear that the AIS team had their work cut out, as the opposition players were tall, fast, athletic and more experienced than our AIS players.

The first half of the match was a close contest. The ball travelled back and forth between the two teams. The spectators were enthralled with the riveteng contest, but unfortunately, as the whistle blew to end the first half, AIS was trailing by a score of 2 goals to 1.

Halftime proved to be a pivotal moment for AIS, setting the stage for a gripping comeback story. Aiden emerged from the shadows of the carpark trees like a roaring inferno with a look of determination on his face and hunger in his eyes. He bellowed at the top his voice, “Let’s Do This!” motivating the team to make a second-half charge.

As the excitement quietened, the whistle blew to start the second half and it was clear that AIS had regrouped. They played with greater intensity and immediately began making inroads into the lead.

Eoghann displayed tremendous effort and energy throughout the game, making significant impact playing in the ruck position. He scored 2 goals, resembling a young Cody Weightman. Max, who is in Year 3 and was competing against older players, demonstrated determination by consistently laying hard tackles and winning a number of hard ball contests.

Seungmin stood firm in defence like an impervious fortress, intercepting and redirecting the opposition’s countless attacks. Iyad, also playing in defence was like a vacuum cleaner on grass, scooping up the ball every time it fell to the ground. 

Aisyah enthusiastically joined the boys' team and was a driving force in the victory. Dzaki and Nathan were strong competitors in our forward line and helped set up goals. Even Kaden in Year 1 joined in on the fun, making him the youngest AIS player in the history of our school. 

The pinnacle of the match arrived in the final moments, with the score locked at 3-3. As the seconds dwindled, the ball found its way to Loic, who caught it on the full, receiving a free kick.

 After catching the ball, the sound of the final whistle ended the match. Loic had one chance to kick the goal before the match officially ended. 

The crowd went silent as Loic calmly dropped the ball onto his foot and watched it soar through the goals, sealing the comeback victory with a score of 4-3. 

A crescendo of excitement and cheers rippled through the large number of fans at the AIS North campus.

Overall, the AUSKICK clinic provided a great opportunity for the students to showcase their sportsmanship, teamwork, and skills. We thank the parents for their support with this program and we are looking forward to the next one.

One of our star players, Ruth, was quoted as saying, “Auskick is fun when you know what to do”. 

On Saturday, the 10th of June, students from AIS eagerly participated in an Auskick clinic, braving the scorching heat in the middle of the day. This exciting event provided an opportunity for the students to learn and practice various Australian Rules Football (AFL) skills, from kicking and bouncing the ball to tackling and marking. The day concluded with an exhilarating match where the students showcased their newfound abilities and demonstrated remarkable teamwork and sportsmanship.

Highlights from the Match 

Eoghann exemplified tenacity as he continuously broke through tackles and played with remarkable endurance. His efforts paid off when he set up a goal that was expertly kicked by Loic, showcasing exceptional teamwork.

Alexandre proved to be a dominant force on the field, displaying exceptional athleticism and taking remarkable marks throughout the game. His presence and contributions greatly benefited his team, both in defense and attack. Meanwhile, Eita impressed everyone with his quick grasp of the game, executing impressive kicks and actively participating in the match.

Aiden, in his role as the ruckman, exhibited relentless effort and ran tirelessly throughout the game. His hard tackles made a significant impact, providing an excellent example of commitment and determination. Iyad demonstrated unwavering dedication, supporting his team with enthusiasm and being a reliable teammate.

Max, despite being in Year 3 and smaller in size compared to the Year 6 students, showcased exceptional heart and was one of the standout players on the field. His remarkable performance and determination was a contribution to his team's success.

Next Session

The next Auskick clinic is set to take place at the AIS North Campus on Saturday, June 24th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This will include a skills session and a friendly game, with the added bonus of being joined by a local school.