Dear Mitcham Families,
Just like that, we are at the half-way point of the Home & Away Season. Depending on how you choose to measure success, in general, we are having a successful season.
Our “non-competitive” age-group kids are constantly seen with big smiles, great training numbers, and wonderful stories of their exploits which might make Buddy Franklin blush. The on-field efforts were rewarded with success in the Lightning Premiership for our Under 9 Blacks, coached by Rhys Coulson.
Our three competitive aged Girls teams are all playing in their respective Premier grade, and while the challenge is tough each week, they are listening, learning, and impressively sticking together. They will all be well placed for on-field success in 2020.
For the first time, the Club has fielded two Under 17 teams. In excess of 50 young men are registered, with both teams poised for a run at finals footy. The Under 15’s battle hard each week, with the season highlight to date being the defeat of the top team. The Under 14 boys are finding the step up a grade, following their 2018 Premiership, a huge challenge, and are impressive with their commitment to improvement. Our Under 13’s remain undefeated, playing some very impressive footy, while the Under 12 boys won games impressively, or been close in the losses. The Under 11 Blacks look headed for finals footy, and the Yellows next win is not far away.
I am particularly proud of the conduct of our players, coaches, and supporters on match days. Win or lose, our respect for players and officials has been very pleasing, so thank you to everyone, but let’s not allow our standards to slip, particularly as we get to the business end of the season. Afterall, it is kid’s sport for their enjoyment, rather than the entertainment of adults.
Some of our season highlights to date include;
- A Club-record 18 teams, and 382 Registered players.
- The success of the Junior/Senior program. Only a couple of teams are yet to see their senior players, which will be remedied this week.
- Acknowledgement of Country, proudly read out by Under 12 Player Jaylen Allen, during the AFL’s Indigenous Round.
- 5 Players and 3 Coaches selected for the EFL/ERGFL Interleague Program
- A successful and fun Bogan Bingo night (thanks Pip Cariss and helpers)
- SALT (Sport And Life Training) introductory program in our top-age boys and girls teams
- AFLW Player Sarah Hosking training and talking withour U14 & 16 Girls
- Hawthorn Players Jarryd Roughead, Dylan Moore, Mitchell Lewis, & Harry Jones attending Tuesday training of our U12 Girls and U17 Boys
- Commencement (finally) of the redevelopment of the change rooms and social rooms. Our temporary rooms would still be the envy of many clubs.
- New Major Sponsors Bendigo Bank (Ringwood) and Active EP involvement at the Club.
This year, we hold a strong focus on bringing the junior and senior Clubs together as one. It has been very pleasing to see such good numbers of juniors and their parents at senior home games (dressed in yellow and black). We encourage this to continue, as it gives the senior boys a genuine game-day lift, while also ensures the senior players give back to juniors through the Junior/Senior Program. For remaining home games, we will also hold half time grid games with our non-competitive teams, and Auskick kids.
There are still a few seats available for this Saturday’s (15/6) President’s Lunch, featuring Richmond’s Josh Caddy and Shaun Grigg. Also look out for the Sportsman’s Night (July 27) and Ladies Lunch (August 3) to get involved.
This Friday night (14/6) from 6pm, we will be having a pop-up stall selling club apparel (beanies, scarves, hats) at the Mitcham Marquee (2019 social rooms). We will also have apparel available at our first “Back To Club” night on June 23rd. Orders for playing, training, and off-field apparel can be made via Team Managers or directly to Michelle at merchandise.mitchamjfc@gmail.com .
Many volunteer hours go in to your child’s footy experience, including Coaches, Team Managers, Runners, Trainers, Time Keepers, Umpire Escorts, Goal Umpires, Committee, and setting up or packing up equipment at each end of the day. To all of you, on behalf of the kids and parents, I say a huge THANK YOU.
I hope everyone has enjoyed the mid-season break, and returns this week ready to tackle the back end of the season with our great Tiger spirit!
Regards,
Anthony Grace
President
Mitcham Junior Football Club
Last Modified on 11/03/2020 09:04