AFL football game

Our first footy game was a Sydney derby. The GWS Giants V Sydney Swans. I quickly Wikipedia'd the rules to get a little understanding but it didn't help that much.

We went as a family, knowing that we may have to come home in pairs if one of the kids got too bored but it was the opposite on the day. After 3 hours we dragged the kids away.

You get free train travel included with the AFL ticket but it's only a half hour drive for us and parking was easy, plus we had to collect our tickets on the door so didn't have them in advance.

Once inside the stadium our 'eyes through a family lense' widened as the ease of bringing a family to a sports game became clear. There were families with kids of all ages; Designated areas for buggy parking; long queues for the ice cream & milkshake stand; lots of toilet blocks and a huge kids play area plus lots of open space behind the food booths where there was a lot of ball throwing/catching going on.

The general attitude was relaxed. Fans were mixed throughout the seating area and I only heard good natured cheering. I don't know if that's normal but I didn't get a sense of the bitter rivalry I'm used to, but then i've only got UK Premier Football League to compare it to. Anyway, the whole atmosphere made me feel happy to bring the kids, but it did miss out a bit of raw emotion and chanting. 

Our kids were so keen to explore the play area that they couldn't sit 5 minutes in their seats before begging to go and play. We made them watch for 15 minutes before giving in to their demands. 

At the entrance to the play area we were offered a free apple and cup of milk. There was a bouncy castle, and various free games to play including inflatable target skills games; a line of iPads (we didn't investigate what was on them because we didn't want to be there all game); large mascot characters and kids could get team name tattoos (the face painting variety obviously). 

At half time a band played on the Virgin Live stage while little kids came out to demonstrate their skills. There was more than 1 half time so I guess it's not actually called half time but I'm still on UK football terms!!

Altogether a good family afternoon, even without fully understanding the rules of the game.