Jy Goes for Gold (Kimberley Kickers, #1) – Carl Merrison/Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell

Harper Collins Australia

September 2024

ISBN: 9781460765074
ISBN 10: 1460765079
Imprint: HarperCollins AU
RRP: $15.99

It was a strange bit of serendipity when two days after posting my Q&A with Carl Merrison, in which he mentioned this new series, I was asked to write teaching notes for this first one [despite the fact that “you are a NRL girl” haha!].

It’s not like I know nothing about AFL 😂! But this a great book, kicking off [yes, I know but it’s inevitable] what is going to be a hugely popular series with your MG readers, especially the footy fans but actually, any of the kiddos who enjoy stories based on real life people.

Jy is, in fact, Carl’s nephew which makes this one even more special. Reading Jy’s story about growing up in Hall’s Creek, his schooling at Hale College [a school I know from my corporate library gig], the joys, the struggles, the disappointments and the successes that have made up his journey to his current place, playing for the Gold Coast Suns FC was something that I found truly interesting, and I have no doubt that your readers will also.

Most of us will never go to the Kimberley but this book offers an insight into life there, and certainly, life as First Nations youth growing up straddling two very different worlds.

Carl and Hakea both have a passion to share stories that will resonate with all readers but bring far more awareness and understanding of First Nations people, Country and culture. And most definitely, they want young First Nations jarjums to see themselves in stories. Along with Samantha’s terrific illustrations this translates into an energetic and enjoyable story about one of our country’s greatest and most-followed sports. How better to do that than to combine the two into a format that will enable them to make instant connections with their culture, and their sport?

With two more soon to follow, this is definitely a must have to get into your collection and with finals season upon us, it couldn’t be more timely really. As well as the published teaching notes, I’ve added some other resources that you may find useful. This one gets a huge torpedo 5 🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉 rating from me.

Choose a significant First Nations sportsperson and compile a one-page biography (useful templates available online). This could be one of the many footballers but other suggestions could be:

Cathy Freeman (running)
Patty Mills (basketball)
Ash Barty (tennis)
Taliqua Clancy (volleyball/beach volleyball)
Baeden Choppy (hockey)
Brad Hardman (golf)
Samantha Riley (swimming)
Benn Harradine (discus)
Johnny Mullagh (cricket)
Allan Aldenhoven (surfing)

Devise a class training program with AFL skills and drills for some regular fitness. What other aspects of health could be incorporated here e.g. diet, sleep, less screen time?

Flora and fauna of the Kimberley region references; spinifex, goanna, fish, cherabin, ta-ta lizards, rock pigeons conkerberry. Investigate other species of the area and compile an illustrated class guide book.

Goal Setting: Have students articulate their own goals. Find ideas for engaging ways to do this online or create their own.

Maths activities:

Calculate or research distances between places mentioned
Create a table of statistics for either a player or team using information from research
Formulate a schedule of training activities
Create some scoring challenges or use templates available online
Play ‘Dice Footy’ – an engaging way for individuals to practise maths skills, no tech needed, There is also a whole class version.
Statistics, chance and data are well-suited to AFL, with free resources.

Useful websites: activities and resources

Books

Backyard Footy – Carl Merrison/Hakea Hustler

My Deadly Boots – Carl Merrison/Hakea Hustler

Kicking Goals with Goodsey and Magic – Anita Heiss/Adam Goodes

Girls Change the Game #1 & #2 – Gabrielle Gloury/Michael Hyde

Specky Magee series – Felice Arena

The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan – Felice Arena

How to Tackle Your Dreams – Fiona Hardy

Speccy-tacular AFL stories – Various

PlayAFL

Play AFL – AFL 9s