The Bellingen Shire is proving fertile ground for AFL Football, with kids from all over the area and as far afield as Nambucca and Macksville flocking to learn and play the game with the club affectionately known as the Doggies.

Renowned as the ‘family-friendly’ club, the Doggies are now getting ready to pull on the boots for another big year.

In 2015, Bellingen Bulldogs will field three teams in the NSW North Coast AFL competition for kids from ages 9 to 15, as well as an energetic group of young Auskickers from 6 – 9 years.

The club’s home ground, readily recognised by its cartoon bulldog emblem, is the picturesque Burdett Park on Waterfall Way.

During the season, Bulldogs teams play home and away games every Sunday morning against clubs from Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Woolgoolga and Grafton.

Training takes place on Tuesday afternoons from 3.30 to 5.00 pm at Bellingen High School (U11s, U13s and U15s) and at Bellingen Primary School (Auskickers and Auskickers Pro).

Registrations for 2015 are now open. All details and the online registration form can be found by visiting the club’s website at https://bellingenbulldogs.wordpress.com

 Registration days will also be held at Burdett Park on Sunday, February 15 and March 8, from 9 to 11am.

March 8 will be the first official training session for new and current Doggies in all age groups.

Boys and girls of all ages are discovering the fun of learning and playing our national game in a welcoming local environment.

We place a very high priority on being a family club and making sure that everyone gets to enjoy running out on the field, being part of a team and just getting together to have fun.

The popularity of Australian Rules on the Coffs Coast is booming, fuelled by regular pre-season visits by the AFL’s Sydney Swans and an official NAB Challenge Cup game to be played between the Swans and the Brisbane Lions at C.ex Stadium on March 6.

For further information contact Adam 0417 423-578 or Budge 0411 720-593.

Adam Kornhauser