Late January, in the heat of the Summer, saw the start of this seasons tryouts and training for the MSJFL combined Interleague Representative teams for Under 13s, Under 14s and Under 15. All clubs were asked to nominate their best players, in these age groups and bring the cream of the MSJFL together to compete in the Metropolitan Football Championships, held between 7th and 18th June.
Over 100 players were nominated between all clubs, in each age group and Hampton Rovers were well represented in the initial nominations. What has since unfolded has been a competitive, strenuous and often gruelling process, in the pursuit of the best teams to represent our district in these championships. The entire squads have been through a number of ?releases, paring down the squad in Under 13s and 15s to around 25, with the Under 14s lucky enough to have two teams, one competing in the Metro Championships and the other playing a ?one-off? game against a similar team from Adelaide, hence, two squads of 25. This gives those players in the ?Adelaide? team a chance to shine and be considered for representative teams next season.
Hampton Rovers has one of the highest representations of all clubs, with 12 players being selected to represent the league.
The Under 14 team will have 8 representatives; Tate Crampton, Sean Guiney, Zdenek Hostalek, Josh McPherson, Jack O?Reilly, Alex Shulman, Alex Whalebone and Alex Woltering.
The Under 13 team will have 4 representatives; Matt Hooy, Calum Macleod, Christian Salem and Luke Verma.
In addition to the kids making the team, Hampton Rovers is also represented in the coaching ranks with both Ron Verma & Andrew Mirams as assistant coaches of the U13 & 14 teams.
All boys, whether they made the team or not, are to be congratulated on their efforts as they have done themselves, their families and Hampton Rovers proud. We acknowledge their efforts in getting this far and wish them all the best.
On Thursday, the teams had their jumper presentations and Alex Woltering was named as the Captain for the U14 metro team.
DETAILS FOR THE QUEENS BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
JUMPER PRESENTATION (All Squads) – Thursday 5th June at 7.00pm – Moorleigh Reserve
FIRST METRO GAME – Saturday 7th June
Moorabbin Saints J.F.L. V Eastern District J.F.L. – Moorleigh Reserve
Under 14 Match to start at 10.00am
Under 15 Match to start at 12.00pm
ADELAIDE MATCHES – Sunday 8th June – Dingley Football Ground Souter Reserve, Marcus Road, Dingley (Mel. Ref. 88 G6)
Under 13 Match to start at 11.30am
Under 14 Match to start at 1.30pm
SECOND METRO GAME – Monday 9th June
Western District J.F.L. V Moorabbin Saints J.F.L. – Time and Venue to be advised
THIRD METRO GAME – Wednesday 18th June (NIGHT GAME)
Moorabbin Saints J.F.L. V Dandenong District J.F.L. – Moorleigh Reserve
Under 14 Match to start at 6.15pm
Under 15 Match to start at 8.15pm
Back Row: Josh McPherson, Christian Salem, Zdenek Hostalek, Tate Crampton, Alex Woltering, Matt Hooy
Seated: Alex Shulman, Jack O?Reilly, Luke Verma, Alex Whalebone, Sean Guiney (absent Calum MacLeod)
Photo supplied by www.kangaroophotos.com