What do AGR people get up to outside work? Let’s ‘kick off’ with Jack Kennedy

If you follow our blog or social content, you will be aware that AGR places a high value on the well-being of our people. We strive to create a work-life balance that enables our people to perform in the best way they can. Many of you will also appreciate that here at AGR, we like to do things together, so there are many Team Days and events when we get together in our respective teams or as a company. However, it’s not just about finding the right balance at work; as the term ‘work-life balance’ suggests, it’s also about how our people relax with family and friends and what they do away from the office. We know this is a critical part of how our team members perform when they are in the office.

We take a genuine interest in each person and what they get up to outside working hours. We are constantly surprised by the broad range of activities, hobbies, and pastimes they engage in away from the office. So much so that we thought we’d start featuring some of these activities via the AGR blog. Today, we’re ‘kicking off’ with one of our Personnel Coordinators, Jack Kennedy. And we use the term ‘kicking off’ deliberately because Jack’s passion is Aussie Rules Football; even more surprising is the fact that it’s not watching that interests him, it’s playing!!! Jack plays for Edinburgh Aussie Rules Football Clube, Edinburgh Bloods. The Bloods are a cosmopolitan mix of locals, Aussies, Brits and assorted other nationalities. Whether they’re long-term Edinburgh residents or nomads passing through the city, they all share a common love for “Footy”. They pride themselves on being a warm, welcoming club that becomes like family to everyone who joins. With the support of Malone’s Irish bar, they play hard and party harder.

However, it was serious stuff last month; The Bloods took part in the AFL Europe Champions League tournament on the 13th of April. The tournament consisted of 14 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams, winners of their respective leagues around Europe who travelled to Lyon for the annual tournament.

It was a hard-fought competition, with the Wandsworth Demons emerging victorious, while our very own Jack and the Edinburgh Bloods finished in a solid and very creditable fifth place.

If you’re wondering what AFL is, you may have heard of it by its name, “Aussie Rules”, or how many in Australia address it, simply “footie”. Aussie Rules is Australia’s most-attended spectator sport, drawing average crowds of over 35,000 for AFL games.

If you’re new to Aussie Rules, imagine a blend of soccer, rugby, and basketball played with an oval-shaped ball on a large field. It’s a high-energy sport known for its fast-paced action, spectacular marks (catches), and bone-crunching tackles.

Despite its Australian origins, the game has found a passionate following worldwide, thanks to its thrilling gameplay and inclusive community spirit.

The AFL Europe Champions League serves as a testament to the sport’s global appeal, bringing together players from diverse backgrounds and cultures for a weekend of fierce competition and camaraderie. Every year, the tournament grows in stature, showcasing the expanding footprint of Aussie Rules beyond its traditional heartland.

We hope you’ll join us in extending a huge congratulations to Jack and the rest of the Edinburgh Bloods team!

We’re sure you’ll be back challenging for the title next year and likely back in Malones Irish Bar ‘strategising’ next week!