A moderately successful weekend in the juniors with most teams winning and 2 out of 5 in the seniors – all of the coaches and players are working hard to turn that around. We had good attendances at the training and presentation nights and the canteen and BBQs did fine – thanks to all the volunteers who are working so hard to keep the club going so well!
I tell you all something, if you have never been to a Sunday Juniors home game for us, then you need to try it. We have split rounds with U9s, U11s and U13s playing one week, the next U8s, U10s, U12s and U16s.
The Grasshoppers (U8s/U10s or U9s) start at 9.15am and they burn the dew and frost off the oval – it is great seeing these little kids run around and to have the parents so involved in coaching and showing them how to play – it is awesome!
Then at 10.15 (after a couple of delicious coffees or hot chocolates and of course the world famous HJFC bacon and egg roll) you have U10s or U11s who show a lot more skill and their parents are just as enthusiastic in supporting them.
Then the U13s or U14s start at 11.30 and now you can see some excellent junior footy. These guys are just so fast and take a great mark, and kick like the adults – they certainly take it seriously although they are at an age when they be a bit embarrassed by their adoring parents – nevertheless a hug goes a long way.
The U16s hit the ground at 1.10pm and these young men have it all – raw strength, spiky head of hair, loads of attitude and some classy skills.
Although it only happens about 5 times for the year, when the U18s have a home game following the U14s, it makes for a fabulously full day of footy. These guys are built like the proverbial and they have all the stuff the U16s, only they are more hairy and some even smell nice (metro-sexual in training? I wonder). The game is fast and furious and they all put their bodies on the line time and time again – after all they are invincible (well at least they are never wrong, LOL).
We must get together with the committees of the other clubs and work hard to get the MWJFL and SAAFL talking to each other to ensure that we get more U18s games played right after the U16s. It really makes for a top day for the club and it means that the canteen and BBQs can be cranked up for the whole day = good turnover for the clubs and tired but satisfied volunteers.
GO THE SHARKS!
Cheers Dos
The Sharks are Circling!
