PASSION – TEAMWORK – FUN – RESPECT
Time goes fast. It seems like yesterday I sat in Ralph Bergman’s kitchen with a group of fathers who I had never met to talk about the upcoming 2007 Auskick program. My eldest son was at the appropriate age to start and for some reason I was more nervous than playing in any of the 10 Grand Finals I was lucky enough to play in. Why was this?
I guess as a parent who had a background in community sport as a player and coach I understood what a positive community culture via football looks like and what it can offer my child and family. Clubs offer far more than a game of football; clubs offer security, belonging, self-worth, respect, a social fabric well before traits of skill, discipline, sacrifice, courage, disappointment and jubilation are experienced. I sat with Ralph and listened to his calming influence on what is required to help the next generation fall in love with the greatest game of all. I knew he and other fathers in the room were the right people to be leading this.
Pictured above are some of the graduate Auskickers from 2007. They are our U17 team who are enjoying a great season under Jesse and Tom as coach and assistant coach. These boys are a year older than my lad, in some way I have watched these guys grow into wonderful young men, spirited and skilled, they have been lucky to have been mentored by some great football brains and community characters: Ralph, Mil Hanna, Marty, Stu Murray, Mazz, Joffa, Sponge just to name a few at Rovers, with plenty of good coaches at Zebbies also for the East Sandy lads that form the East Sandringham Rovers from U15-17.
These guys are leading the ladder in D2. They play a fast brand of footy and love the club. They also happen to have the longest TM in the business, Miranda Marron. Miranda has watched over these lads for you guessed it, A DECADE. Well done M, Jesse and Tom, best of luck for the back end of the season, your last of your junior careers.
Not to be outdone the Under 18 ladies had a great win on Boss James last Sunday and here they are with the coach and staff, great stuff by the young ladies that helped East Brighton out with numbers.
The age groups from Under 12-14 are an interesting time. Children that mature earlier than others in height, weight and emotional maturity can have huge overall development pros and cons. We have age groups at present that are feeling the pinch on the competitive scale at present with early growth spurts having a bearing on the competitive make up of teams and age groups. We as a club are very mindful of making sure our teams are in the right development cycle for both boys and girls.
We are always keen to look at year to year on a needs basis to grade. Some would argue U12 is the appropriate age, some say U13. This year we held back the U12 group to grade next year, this decision and relevant success based on the first 4 grading games have shown us plenty about ourselves. Our D2 find themselves on top yet the Div 4 team were promoted to D3 and have learnt that footy higher up the tree can change quickly.
U8 Green reported “The boys seemed to enjoy the game so much, they sang the song twice in celebration!” this was against East Brighton. It is the only club I will allow this to happen, sing it loud lads!
Under 8 Maroons reported, “in all seriousness – fantastic game and well played kids – a wonderful effort by you all. A well-deserved win; and you did yourselves, the coaches and your families proud.” Let’s not say you won, let’s say everyone enjoyed a sing along.
Michael’s Under 10 Bronze report showed great feedback and sportsmanship to The East Sandy team, it is a great read.
Great to hear that out D1 U12 Girls had a great win in a hotly contested game.
Plenty of action at both Castlefield and Boss James saw many mixed results, great to see both U14 teams win again, our D1 team has had some quality players return from injury and some other guys have really stepped up this season.
Finally, I am glad last week is over and the children got to show us once more how great the sport is, I would like to sound out two members. Desi Lefort and Gavin Sharp are two community people that put their hands up to do a very difficult task. Not often do we want or expect their expertise to be needed, but sometimes things do not go as planned. Great committees work away in the background doing stuff that often goes unseen. Gav and Desi worked tirelessly last week in consultation with several other clubs to make our clubs safer, more tolerant, better educated environments for us as parents to relax and enjoy our children to experience a DECADE of Passion, Teamwork, Fun whilst showing Respect always.
Great job Desi and Gavin.
GO ROVERS
Caggs
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