They Gave Everything So We Can Do This
I love our game and what it has to offer. Watching young people play the game I grew up loving always fills me with pride. I had a sense of pride watching our coaches lead the way on Sunday. On Sunday morning, the Rovers, Vampire and Ajax coaches, as well as the Team Managers were all invested at 8.15am games. The spirit of the Anzac was alive and the passion for the contest would have impressed the Diggers no end. (Photo above and left: the two mighty U8 teams started Anzac Day off with great respect shown to the fallen and the men and women that served and continue to do so.)
Our game showed an ugly side later in the afternoon. Without going into it, I will take the time to remind people that Hampton Rovers does not condone ugly parent behavior. You will be uninvited to watch your child participate for an extended period if any threatening, antisocial or inappropriate verbal comments are witnessed. The Coaches, Team Managers and Umpires are volunteers or learning their craft and will not be subjected to anything outside encouraging traits.
OK, enough of the negative vibes.
Meet Elliot Jerdukian and Charlie Clarkson (photo left) both Under 17.5 players who attend St Bedes, Mentone. The SMJFL have awarded the lads for their years of service to umpiring. They have been invited to umpire the Auskick game at the MCG this weekend. Both Charlie and Elliot love umpiring. It offers a different perspective to the game, adds fitness, and can offer a few dollars into the bank account.
The SMJFL are screaming out for umpires, so parents please encourage your children, boys and girls, to contact Cameron Watts at umpiring@smjfl.com.au if they are keen. Lads – I hope you both enjoy running around the mighty G this weekend.
Some parents and players may have noticed their teams have been shifted from one division to another in the last few days. Let me give you all a quick understanding of what is the grading rounds – as some teams have won their games by plenty and other have lost by a fair margin. Given we missed a year due to COVID, the development of some age groups have been varied. So this year, more so than ever, grading is vital.
Each year the SMJFL ask each club for recommendations. I consult with coaches on whether their teams would be considered as beginner or advanced (experienced). The first four rounds every year allow the results to determine if they need to be placed in different divisions (by colour or number). An independent committee outside the SMJFL meet in weeks three and four to determine the divisions for the remaining rounds of the year.
So far we have asked the SMJFL to reset the five girls teams, and we have had four out of five reset following mixed results. The SMJFL does a great job where possible and appreciates everyone being patient.
Going into the fifth round, each club will get a spreadsheet with recommended fixtures from rounds 5 to 15. We will be then asked for recommendations again. All ladders will go back to ‘zero’ and effectively the season starts again. All divisions from U8-10 will be known as another color. The teams from U11 to U17.5 and U18G will defined by a number, with division 1 the highest.
I hope this helps!
Many feel good stories from last weekend were witnessed, I loved seeing that our U13 boys get another win. This group have hung tough the last 12 months and needed a few extra numbers as they lost some star players. This has paved the way for others to step up. Marcus has taken up the white board once again and added much needed stability. A great game by Harry Ockerby and Tex Franklin, who kicked 4 goals each. However I do not condone Tex’s dad, Dave (assistant coach), offering Tex a day off school if he kicked 6! 🙂
Justin’s U16 ladies had a close game, going down by 4 points. Justin was glowing in his assessment of his girls. He said they gave plenty and were stiff not to get the chocolates.
Have a great week everyone.
PASSION TEAMWORK FUN RESPECT
Caggs
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