Amanda Bottcher picked up two awards for growing the game in Griffith. Photo: Griffith Swans Facebook.
Amanda Bottcher was celebrating the end of the local Auskick season at Griffith Exies Sporties Club last Friday night when her phone started buzzing.
“People were telling me I was on national TV,” she said.
The next day, she watched the broadcast back and saw herself featured during the half-time break of the AFL match between Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney, as commentator Jamie Brayshaw praised her work.
“In just three years, Amanda Bottcher from Griffith Auskick Centre in NSW has built a fun, inclusive environment that has seen participant numbers nearly double. Thanks to special people like Amanda, Auskick continues to dominate,” Brayshaw said.
Ms Bottcher coordinates the Griffith Swans Auskick program, which introduces children aged four to 12 to Australian Rules football through fun, game-based activities. While she appreciated the recognition, she said the success belonged to an entire team of volunteers.
“While we might help drive the program, it takes a whole village to make it happen,” she said.
“I have to mention my co-coordinator James Toscan and all the volunteers who bring so much energy every week.”
The Irish backpacker who never returned home
The Irish-born 40-year-old never imagined Australian football would become such a big part of her life when she arrived in Griffith on an 88-day regional work placement after backpacking through South-East Asia and Australia.
“I never planned to live here,” she said.
“I’d just been sponsored by my employer, Hanwood fruit packing company Rinaland, when I met Tom, who later became my husband, at the Area Hotel.”
The couple now have three boys together and have settled in Griffith.
Amanda’s sons Mack, Bowen and Reegan with husband Tom. Photo: Supplied.
She laughed that a prediction from a friend back home had unexpectedly come true.
“A friend from Ireland said, ‘I always knew you’d be a Gaelic football mum — just in another country.'”
Growing Auskick in Griffith
Ms Bottcher has coordinated Griffith Auskick for the past three years and was named the 2025 Volunteer of the Year for the NAB South West Junior Football League region and then the national volunteer of the year after helping increase participation by more than 70 per cent.
Part of that growth has come from finding new ways to involve families.
“A couple of years ago we introduced a grandparents’ night, where we invite nans and pops along to a training session,” she said.
“We put on tea and cake, and the grandparents can either watch or join in, play games and learn the skills with the children. This year we also organised a colouring competition, so we’re always trying to come up with something new.”
More than 150 children took part in this year’s Auskick season, which ran from April to June, including 30 girls.
One of the highlights for Ms Bottcher was coaching her youngest son Mack in the preschool group.
“I got to coach my son Mack this year, which was really special,” she said.
The program also moved to the Griffith Exies’ main oval this season, creating a more family-friendly atmosphere.
“It means the parents can sit on the balcony, watch the kids and then socialise with the other families afterwards,” she said.
“With three boys, I was probably always going to end up doing something like this. I love it, and I’ll definitely be back next year.”
