Sport
26 September, 2025
Jake Lohmann hosts footy clinic in Maryborough
While Kai Lohmann prepares to contend for his second AFL premiership medal, his older brother Jake Lohmann is hoping to nurture the next generation of local AFL standouts.
The Maryborough product, who recently finished his season as a regular starter for the Werribee Tigers in the VFL, is currently hosting multiple school holiday football clinics across the region, including two in Maryborough.
The first local Coach Lohmann session was held last Wednesday at Jubilee Oval, with kids aged five to 12 receiving tips and advice from Jake as well as local AFLW stars Lauren Butler of Collingwood and Richmond’s Paige Scott.
The next session will be held on Wednesday, October 1, for children aged 12-16 from 10 am to 2 pm.
The clinics have become a passion project for Jake, hoping his school holiday program can have a noticeable impact on local juniors with the motto “humans first, athletes second”.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to combine two of my passions, connecting with people and football,” Jake said.
“When I was younger in Maryborough, I always wanted anything to do with football, I lived and breathed it and sometimes even slept with a football.
“To be able to give back and encourage the next generation to learn about football, but learn about themselves more as a person and build those connections with each other in the community is great.
“It’s really important that you have to be a good person as well as a good athlete, they go hand in hand.”
Jake said he’s incredibly grateful for the contributions of fellow local products Lauren and Paige, saying their presence gives up-and-coming footballers a remarkable opportunity usually unavailable in towns like Maryborough.
“Having that exposure to high-level coaching and their experience and knowledge of the game, I think sometimes gets overlooked in country towns,” he said.
“I want to create life-long memories, I want kids to talk about this in the future when they go back to school or go to their parents and say how they had a really good day and it left a real positive impact.
“That’s really the heartbeat of everything we do here. I just want everyone to get on board, it’s not just my thing, it’s our thing together.”
Paige and Lauren said they were happy to contribute to something they never got to experience as juniors.
“When Lauren and I were at these kids’ ages, there was nothing like this for us. It’s an honour to get asked to come back and give the kids opportunities that we never had,” Paige said.
“They don’t really care that we are AFLW players, they think it’s just as cool as the AFL.
“Jake has done a great job of making sure it’s not just about football, it’s about being a great person on and off the field.”
Lauren echoed Paige’s comments, saying the energy and excitement of the kids make the clinics so enjoyable.
“It’s really cool to see how excited these kids are and it makes you enjoy it more as well,” she said.
“It’s awesome to come back and support them and show them that there is a pathway to follow their dream.
“Most of all, we want them to enjoy football and have fun because even when you’re playing at the top level, that’s why we all play.
“Women’s football is really growing, so if there are any girls in the local community that are keen to play, there’s the Carisbrook Lady Redbacks who have a great team and we would love to get as many of the older kids down next Wednesday.”
It has been a rather eventful fortnight for the Lohmann’s, culminating in Kai’s Brisbane Lions making back-to-back AFL Grand Finals following wins over the Gold Coast Suns and Collingwood.
Kai was instrumental in both finals victories, kicking a tied season-high three goals in the semi-final versus the Suns before soccering the Lions past the Magpies in the preliminary final with a late goal.
Jake said he couldn’t be prouder of his brother’s accomplishments.
“It’s such a surreal moment, I had a pinch me moment throughout this finals series,” he said.
“To have Kai in there as my little brother, it’s pretty amazing and I’m so proud of him and all of the work that he does.
“It’s such a life-changing moment and a life-changing experience and Kai deserves all of the accolades for that.”
As one of Kai’s biggest supporters, Jake said when he watches his brother play, he lives off every moment, expecting Saturday’s season finale to be no exception.
“I feel like I’m playing out there to be honest, it feels like our souls are tied and attached together at times,” he said.
“Every bump, every ride of the game, I’m holding onto my seat. I’m just really excited, a little bit nervous sometimes, but I know that his talent will stack up and he loves playing on the big stage.
“It just shows if you put your mind to anything, you can achieve anything you want and I want these young people to understand that they can be or do whatever they want.”
For more information on the upcoming Coach Lohmann school holiday clinics, or to book, visit www.trybooking.com/dexys