The 2015 East Sandringham Rovers under 17 team can best be summed up in one word.
‘MATES’
The squad from 2014 was significantly reduced due to several different reasons mainly APS footy, TAC commitments and lads taking a year off to concentrate on study.
The guys that represented the club in 2015 did themselves and both clubs proud, with a move to Boss James as our training and home game base and training prior to the Rover Seniors a bond with the senior club was forged and Players from Rovers Seniors took training for a 10 week mid-season block.
Several Lads played U19 footy on Saturdays, Dan Tocher even debuted for the seniors for a game.
We only won 4 games for the Year, but a large focus was on development and preparation for senior football, we had numbers around 28-29 for the season, some weeks we had 1 on the bench others 8, the main focus was enjoyment and being competitive from one quarter to the next.
My two years with these guys I will look back on with many fine memories, the blue print for Rovers and Zebbies to work together is formed, I hope future age groups can have as much fun & development as we experienced in 2014-15.
A huge thanks to Stuart Murray for his constant words of encouragement, his coaching legend in community sport grows and grows, to Jamie Stanfield, cheers mate; your work with this group was excellent.
Our duty of care as coaches in the upper age groups travels way outside the boundaries of just Australian Rules Football, young men need people they can trust, discuss social issues and add guidance, show compassion, understanding and be a friend, push their outer boundaries and respect them always, I like to think as coaches our 2015 season hit the mark.
To the boys that played 150 game, Jack, Cam, Toch, Tommy D and Ash congrats lads, huge effort.
To the Parents, thank you for trusting me with your lads, I have enjoyed it greatly; your sons are a credit to you, the schools they attend & the community.
To the players, thanks you each and every one, I take with me a special memory from you all. Watching you all sing both club songs after we beat Murrumbeena in the last round was a major highlight of my time in coaching, I am proud to call you all my MATES.
Be Good to your MOTHERS Boys.
Love Caggs
