Today marks the start of the 2023 AFL Premiership Season (spoiler alert: it was a draw) – and in five weeks’ time we will be celebrating the start of our own community-based SMJFL 2023 season.
A big welcome to our new players and members! I’m sure that you will get a lot out of our Hampton Rovers family. Our Club is built on the values of Passion, Teamwork, Fun and Respect. You will see and feel these values in every aspect of the Club, and I encourage you to become an active member.
The HRJ Committee are busily getting the final touches in place to ensure that we are set up well for the season. This includes training schedules, first aid training, practice matches, uniform and merch ordering, registrations and liaison with our key stakeholders within our community. My thanks to the HRJ Committee, and a welcome to our new committee member – James McIntyre – who has taken on the role of Secretary.
Some important call outs that you will see more information on below:
Volunteers: we are a Club built on volunteers. No volunteers, no games. To volunteer, you MUST register your details with the SMJFL via this link. We have around 500 players registered to play this year, and we would expect at least one parent / carer per player to register to volunteer to help. It’s a new requirement to register your intention to volunteer, so please do so asap.
Registrations: thank you to those that have registered to play in 2023. We have closed registrations for U15 Girls and U16 Boys. We are however actively looking for players to join U9 Mixed (girls and boys), U10 Girls, U11 Girls, U12 Girls and U12 Boys. If you know of others that would like to give footy a go in 2023 in these age groups, now is the time to register!
Final pre-season club training: the last training session with Sandringham Little Aths will be held this coming Sunday. Thank you to the entire team at Sandy Little Aths for a brilliant pre-season program. The feedback has been outstanding.
Save the date: there are lots of important dates coming up, but the most important is the first game of the season will be on Sunday 23 April. This is the last day of the school holidays.
Go Rovers!
Rohan Bardwell
Hampton Rovers Juniors President
