The season has begun with a mighty burst of sunshine and last Sunday was no exception. Burning just as brightly were the heroic efforts being made across various footy fields by the Hampton Rovers Juniors. A great kick-start to the game.
Will Murray – Funds Raised
A special thank you to all of the Rovers community who came and ate, bought raffle tickets and drinks behind the Boss James bar at the season launch. We raised $1,000 for the Will Murray family on the night, the first of a number of fundraisers for the family in 2016.
1st Prize Winner Announced
Congratulations to Paul Woff, Team Manger of under 9’s Purple, who won the first prize at our 2016 juniors season launch last Friday night.
Welcome new Juniors Committee members
The Hampton Rovers Juniors Committee welcomes a couple of new committee members. We are delighted to have Deb Hopkins on board as she has assisted us in making the younger kids and their families feel welcome with the initiative of the kiddies’ toy corner at the Club. Deb is a mum of three boys, two of who play in the Rovers (U12 & U10). She spent 20 years in event management then studied interior decorating and now runs her own company working as a stylist (home, food, events) called Adorn Style www.adornstyle.com.au
We are also fortunate to have Gavin Sharp join the Juniors Committee. Gavin has been involved with the Hampton Rovers since 2004 when his eldest son started Auskick. He has filled various roles since as Auskick coach (3 years), two years coaching and one year as assistant coach and runner/boundary umpire when not coaching. During this time he completed Auskick and Level 1 Coaching courses.
Both Gavin’s sons have been involved at the Rovers with his oldest playing until u/16s and his youngest in u/14s this year. His wife, Jan, has served variously as Team Manager and Trainer during this time. He has served on the Social sub committee that organised the inaugural Rover’s Ball several years ago. Gavin has his own business as a Corporate Psychologist and likes to think he can bring to the table ideas he has learnt from consulting to a range of businesses over the years. If not he’ll just make things up.
PLAYER PROFILES
New in 2016 is junior player profiles so please read on for some questions we put to two of our boys recently:
Name – Jack Kennedy
Role – Team member U12
Years at the Rovers – 3
What AFL team do you support? – North Melbourne
Favourite football memory? – Todd Goldstein taking a match winning mark in the last quarter against Geelong in the semi-final in 2014. It was right in front of where we were sitting. Also beating Richmond in the elimination final last year.
Something unique about you? – My mouth guard only has a space for one front tooth because I knocked out my adult tooth on holidays two years ago. Whoops!
Thing you like most about the RoversÂ’ – Playing at Castlefield Oval which is 2 doors from my house!
What brought you to the RoversÂ’ – I went to Hampton Primary where most of the players originally came from. I now go to Haileybury but it is a good way to stay in touch with my old friends.
Favourite football player – Jack Ziebell & Todd Goldstein
Best Hampton Rovers moment – Making it into the finals in 2015.
Name – Zach Bowen
Role – Team member U12
Years at the Rovers – 2 Auskick + 5 Rovers
What AFL team do you support? – Richmond
Favourite football memory? – Favourite football memory is Richmond beating Sydney in R23, 2014 to make the finals.
My worst is losing to North Melbourne in last year’s Elimination Final!
Something unique about you? – Can kick with both feet
Thing you like most about the RoversÂ’ – Playing matches, and At Home with the Rovers.
What brought you to the RoversÂ’ – Closest to home and all my Hampton Primary friends are playing Rovers.
Best goal you ever scored or witnessed – One of my friends, Zac Zeising, kicked a torpedo that bounced through last year.
Favourite football player – Dusty.
Best Hampton Rovers moment – My first goal for Rovers was when I played up in Shaune Jackson’s team against Prahran. They gave me a packet of snakes.
In closing, be sure to be in the winning for another TV generously donated by Harvey Norman, at our next At Home with the Rovers on 20th May from 5pm at Boss James Reserve. In the meantime, see you at ‘the local’, Friday nights from 5pm at the club.
Good luck to all players this Sunday for another game of footy.
View all the fixtures and results at www.hamptonrovers.com.au/juniors
