The Em Nau Niukick program for the National Capital District (NCD) kicked off yesterday at the St Peter Chanel Primary School in Erima with youngsters taken through the basics of the Australian Football League (AFL) code to teach them about the sport and built their interest in the footy game as well. AFL Junior Development Program Manager, Mr. David Topeni, said the event is the first for 2021 after the Office of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Controller, gave the go ahead for sporting activities to start. “The Em Nau Niukick program takes students through the basic skills of ball handling and kicking. Once the students have gone through the basics, they are usually arranged into groups and then take part in non-contact fun games.” He added that apart from this the Niukick team will also be giving out awareness to students on social issues like violence and illicit drugs and their bad effects. All these are aimed at promoting a positive mindset for the youngsters to help shape their futures. This week the Port Moresby AFL Junior Development Program team will be busy running the Em Nau Niukick program for primary and secondary schools. Today will see the team at Kilakila Primary and Secondary Schools, while Gerehu Primary School will host the team tomorrow. The Em Nau Niukick program was made possible with the support of Paradise Foods Ltd through sponsoring the program and the Junior Development Program will continue to work alongside Paradise Foods throughout this year in delivering the Niukick program to schools throughout the country.