Following the success of the 2014 partnership, Hampton Rovers and Sandringham Zebras have agreed to extend their already strong relationship indefinitely, in anticipation of the Zebras’ split from St Kilda in 2017.
Sandringham President Danny Corcoran and Hampton President Matthew Gray met last week to review and discuss the partnership. Both agreed it has been of great benefit to the two clubs, and continuing on is the logical thing to do.
The partnership saw a number of Hampton Rovers’ young guns undertake a VFL pre-season with the Zebras. Some will be listed with the Zebras and others will return to the Rovers fitter and stronger whilst remaining on the Zebras’ radar.
Sandringham captain and back-to-back Best & Fairest winner Adam Cockie pulled on the Rovers jumper in the Round 14 clash against PEGS, where he received VAFA votes in the 43-point win. 2013 Hampton premiership player Luke Verma made his VFL debut in 2014, finishing the season with six senior games, including the Zebras’ Qualifying Final against Collingwood.
Newly appointed Sandringham coach Paul Hudson met with back-to-back Hampton Rovers premiership coach Guy Martyn, as well as Matthew Gray last night to discuss the football development side of the partnership. The Zebras will utilise the Rovers’ knowledge of young local talent and development programs as they look to create pathways for local players to progress their football to VFL level and beyond.
“Last night was the first time that Paul and I have met and even through our basic chat he’s learnt things about the Rovers’ players currently training with the Zebras aiming to make the final list, which he didn’t previously know. So that is a clear benefit of the relationship and the open communication which we have.” Guy Martyn said.
The Zebras’ coaching staff will also work with Hampton’s senior and junior coaches, as a way to develop local coaches as well as strengthen the relationship with the two clubs across all areas.
“There is no doubt about the benefits to not only the two clubs, but to the Bayside community as a whole. The Rovers are the first local club that have been able to establish a genuine pathway for players to progress their football. We have even found this opportunity to be a recruitment tool for us over the off-season.” Hampton Rovers President Matthew Gray said.
“I know that it is only a matter of time before we see a Hampton Rovers’ junior player progress through the ranks and play AFL football, simply on the back of this partnership. Too often quality talent is lost if a player does not make a TAC Cup list, but this creates a vehicle for those that fall through the gap.” Gray said.
The partnership has also created the platform for the Zebras to reconnect with the community at this level.
Both teams are back into the swing of training with the Rovers looking to continue their surge up the VAFA ranks and extend on the back-to-back premiership success in Premier B, while the Zebras have their toughest final list cut in many years as they too look to continue on from making VFL finals in 2014.
