The building of character in the junior league

Having a teenage nephew, I have both the pleasure and responsibility of going down and watching him play junior league football. This is Australian Rules football, played all over the nation and increasingly in other countries as well now - this is a new development.  

He graduated from the shorter half grounds in 2012 to the full length grounds, this opens the play up showing a genuine skills advantage to kids who can move the ball quickly and accurately. In the younger competition, girls are able to play in the same team as the boys - a mixed team gives everyone an opportunity. Once adolescence is reached, the team moves to single sex as the game becomes a little harder and physical although I understand they have women's competitions around the country. 

Some say Australian Rules football is too brutal, too difficult and too injury prone, I disagree wholeheartedly. Juniors, like senior players only wear a mouthguard as protection, an umpire adjudicates with fair play rewarded. You are more likely to suffer soft tissue injuries from muscle tears attributed to running than bone injuries at this level.   

Sure, the players have to get down to ground level to win the hard ball - this is character building. Playing to the best of your ability in a team environment, getting in and winning the hard ball, showing commitment to training and practice and providing assistance to your team mates. Sport mirrors life, the lessons learned in competition and training help shape the youth for their entry into the broader community.