Another great weekend of footy was witnessed last weekend under the sunny skies of Melbourne’s South. A special mention to all mums on Mother’s Day, especially the ones that act as TMs across our FANTASTIC club. On Volunteers Week, here are a few mums that pull large for the Mighty Hampton Rovers.
AMY – I witnessed 7 Rover games on Sunday and Amy was at 6 out of the 7. She loves it and I love her drive and passion that comes across always.
EMMA – Thanks Em for organising the photos and treats for every mum on Mother’s Day.
LISA – For keeping all members across the club up to speed with online media.
TAN and DEB – For just being Tan and Deb, buzzing away feverishly to bring us events such as At Home With The Rovers and Casino Royale.
SKYE – For counting the beans whilst still keeping the family entertained in the UK.
LEE-ANN, SJC, PAIGE, TIFF, MIRANDA, NICKI L, BECK, PENNY, KELLIE, SARAH, KIM & VICTORIA – For all being the best TMs your boys and girls could ask for.
AUDRA – For running the boundary at 9am with wet feet
… and my wife JULIE for putting up with me.
SPORTSMANSHIP & RESPECT are two elements at Rovers that are non-negotiable. We have had a few minor issues within the club that I am proud have been resolved in house. Several clubs within the league at present have had a few please explains issued in the last 2 weeks. On field and off field we are a club that hold a very good record within the league. It is not just the Volunteer Coaches and Volunteer TMs within our club that need to uphold standards; we need all members, parents and children to buy in with nothing but positive behaviour. Our staff that man the bar and canteen will be respected at all times. The Committee uphold the right to sanction members that step outside what is deemed acceptable.
Umpire decisions on field are final. In 40 years of playing and coaching I have never seen an umpire change his mind and tell the person that raised the issue that they were correct and he/she (the umpire) was wrong. SO LET’S RESPECT THEM MORE THAN EVER.
Highlights on the weekend
The Under 15 Div 4 team are a great bunch of guys that keep playing footy and learning under Daniel. Mark “Bomber” Riley (Under 15 Div 1 coach and St Bernard’s coach in B Grade VAFA) coached against Daniel on Saturday as Dan plays for Monash Blues and Bomber said he goes real well as a player and leader, head down and runs real straight. It must be rubbing off as the lads are 3-1 after 4 games and inside the 4 on the ladder.
Under 13 Div 1: With injuries to Jimmy Delaney, marking sensation Ned Gray and a pre game injury to Div 1 Interleague player Ollie Horigan, the coaching staff were left to ask what to do? With no time to think or execute Plan Z, Steve Marshall pulled on the red bib, picked up the baton and conducted the mighty Under 13 team like Mozart did for the Symphony 40 in minor G. The lads beat the premiers of 2016 at their own game: Run, Believe, Achieve. Well done lads.
A spy tells me Miles Bergman left a vapour trail on Sunday playing Div 1 Under 16. He was Mr Everywhere. He led from the front and had support but the Sharks were just too polished. The Div 3 team jumped out of the blocks at Boss James and gate crashed any pregame plans Oakleigh had of singing their song.
The Under 17 team continued on their merry way winning another game and keeping the fans (mothers) happy.
The Under 12 Girls team went down but still with plenty flair and passion. They laugh plenty, cartwheel often and never find the environment boring. Thanks to Leigh for his great mentoring.
The Under 16 Girls went down but the scoreboard indicates it was an arm wrestle.
Both Under 12 teams went down: Div 1 to the Sharks on Boss James in a classic inch and yard encounter and Div 5 to East Malvern who I would expect will be regraded.
All Junior Teams played well from all reports coming in.
4 weeks down and grading games over. We have asked the league for 4 teams to be altered into alternate divisions – some up, some down. This works well for the development and enjoyment of all players. The SMJFL will release the draw Wednesday.
Looking forward to seeing all club members at Boss James this Friday for “AT HOME WITH THE ROVERS”.
Keep up the great work everyone and never forget…
PASSION – TEAMWORK – FUN – RESPECT
Cheers Caggs
