Head of Football Message

I thought this day might never come.

Sundays in winter have always been a day of worship – worshipping the red Sherrin that is. It’s time to share it with your mates/friends; be bold, be honest, be yourself.

Although Super Sunday last week was a wash out, the children within the East Sandy/Rovers community loved running around and competing, I saw 8 to 10 games on Sunday and it was evident, the focus was the red ball, and everyone was back in love with the greatest game there is.

Season 2021 is simple – it’s about FUN, FUN and FUN. The coaches have been given instructions – make the memories of the year stand out. We want our youth to see why it is necessary to go to bed early on a Saturday. The Sunday Rovers experience is the highlight of the weekend… always.

A message to all the parents out there that are new to Rovers: Congratulations! You have chosen a great junior club for your daughter or son to play at. Please get behind your child, barrack, support and be mindful the coach is a volunteer, and the umpires are all on a journey, some starting this week from scratch.

When I welcome the U8 parents each year, I mention that annually around Australia 40,000 children are starting out in club land games potentially following Auskick. I make sure everyone is aware that there will be no AFL scouts watching until U15. There are no GPS trackers and stats are not important. What is important is the health and mental wealth of all concerned.

With the season called off weeks prior to the 2020 season getting underway, walking around Hampton seeing our players with the brand on made me smile. Everyone missed footy and everyone missed what footy offers. It’s a place of wellbeing, inclusiveness and respect. It’s a place where you can strive to be your best or just relax and enjoy the social environment the club offers. There is no judgement either way.

While the SMJFL season has not officially kicked off, there has been plenty of football played. I have great pleasure announcing that Tayla Jones from our club has played AFLW U17 Challenge for Vic Metro in the last two weeks, and Archie Roberts will play tomorrow in the NAB League for Vic Metro U17 as an under 16 at Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham, at 2.00pm. Go Tay and Tractor.

I’d like to thank all of our volunteers – in particular Alisdair Smyth. With all of the paper work that is required these days, the work he does needs to be acknowledged. He is a credit to himself and our club.

Please do not be shy, if you have time to give, please step forward. We will find an important role that needs to be filled.

Rohan and his committee, with some helpers, have done an outstanding job, and the SMJFL have done wonders given the trying times of 2020. The sponsors of our great club need to be acknowledged – Buxton is our long-time partner and Brighton Mazda has been a great support for the past 4 years.

OK, it’s that time of year. The hard work continues. We owe it to the children of Hampton to make 2021 the best year ever. Good luck everyone. I look forward to seeing plenty of smiles, hearing laughter and seeing plenty of encouragement and fair play.

Never forget our club Mantra
PASSION TEAMWORK FUN RESPECT

Love our Community!
GO ROVERS
Paul ‘Caggs’ Carrigan