Hampton Rovers Football Club is looking towards the 2018 VAFA season with optimism, hopeful of turning around the disappointment of the past two seasons, which sees the club compete in Division One this year.
The club has a younger list than the previous time it competed in the same section, that year was 2013 when the club went on to win the premiership. The majority of those young players do have plenty of experience from Premier B & C sections given where the club has been the past few years which will hold the team in good stead.
Senior coach Anthony Quon believes the likes of Oscar Roberts and Campbell Hetherington can excel from the experience in higher grades and develop into consistent senior performers.
Quon is excited about what lays ahead for the club in 2018.
“Pre-season training to-date has been very positive with a young and enthusiastic group who have taken control and ownership of their collective performance.”
The club has seen 120 players at training to this point, including a number of new and returning faces, with Richard Atkins returning from Sandringham Zebras being one of the more notable ones. Christian Carnovale, who has this year been added to the Zebras list, continues to show leadership around the club and a standout at training.
“All in all, I feel the club can bounce back with some more consistent performances in 2018” Quon said.
The Rovers had over 200 registered players in 2017 – a record for the senior section of the club – and this year will see the re-introduction of the Thirds team. Women’s football continues to grow, with numbers again strong heading into the second year of Women’s VAFA football. Spots are available in all sides and the club encourages any new and returning players to come along to pre-season training or register online.
The club recently launched a new logo, signalling a new era for the club, and with the redevelopment of the Castlefield Reserve Pavilion this year and Wright-Scarlett Pavilion at Boss James Reserve in the near future, the future is as bright as ever for the club.
The 2018 Season Launch will be held on Sunday 25 March 3pm at Hotel Brighton, ahead of round one when the Seniors host Kew at Boss James Reserve on April 7.
