The Rovers are back!
As we move into Round 5 of the 2022 SMJFL footy season, I’d like to thank the HRJ Committee and the entire club for the warm welcome I have received as the new Head of Football Administration. The Hampton Rovers have long been a passion of mine, with my first son joining the Hampton Rovers Auskick in 2014. From there I have been struck by the passion and community spirit that runs deep within the club – and I have always helped the club where I can in a variety of roles including being on the Junior Committee in 2018/2019, coached the U10s and now as the U13s Div 1 Assistant Coach. This new opportunity is another way to help the club, and one that I’m looking forward to.
I acknowledge that I have massive shoes to fill! Paul ‘Caggs’ Carrigan has been our Head of Football for many years. His years of service, as a volunteer, coach and committee member was appropriately marked last year when he became a Life Member of the Hampton Rovers Football Club. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and we are fortunate that he continues to play an important role in the club as our U14 Mixed Coach. My thanks go to Caggs for supporting me with the transition, and for also supporting Christian Carnovale who is shaping the new Head of Technical Coaching position at the Rovers, alongside being the Hampton Rovers Seniors Captain.
Grading has now completed with divisions now set for U12s and above and colour groups for the younger ages. This grading will help ensure that our players have fun while they are out there, sharing the ball and learning some important life skills along the way. If you have any questions about the grading process, please let me know.
We have also welcomed many new coaches and volunteers that have taken over roles in their age groups. On top of this, we have warmly welcomed new players to the Rovers in Under 8s, plus new players across a range of age groups. We hope that your time at the Rovers will be enjoyable.
The 2022 season has been a great time to start to trial some new initiatives at the club. Many of our players participated in new pre-season training with the Sandringham Little Athletics Club. The next is that the Hampton Rovers Juniors will be supporting the St Kilda AFLW community partnerships program, giving our club access to some of St Kilda’s best AFLW players to help us grow our junior girls football program and membership. We look forward to this exciting partnership and we will provide more details about this initiative as we progress into the season ahead.
We’d also like to thank the many volunteers who have put their hand up to support the club and the players this season. To those who are new to volunteer roles we thank you for taking on the challenge. To those that are returning to volunteer roles we also thank you for your continued support of the club and our members. Without the wonderful volunteer support we receive it would not be possible for our club to provide the support to our players and the amazing culture of support that we all experience each week, year after year.
I look forward to seeing the continued enjoyment of all our members as they enjoy playing a full season of football with the Hampton Rovers.
Go Rovers!
Steve Nelson
Head of Football
