Jimmy Jennings, Rye Football Club.  

 

Jimmy has played the first 4 games of this season on the wing for the Rye Senior team and has been named in the best in each game, a fantastic achievement for this 17 year old, who last year was playing under 16 football for the Rye Junior Club.  

 

Jimmy started at Rye in the Under 12’s in 2004, having a fine junior career, many people who had watched Jimmy’s progression in the juniors knew he would play senior football at a young age, and he hasn’t disappointed them. Jimmy was also named co-captain of the Rye under 18 side this year, another outstanding achievement for a player in his first year at the senior club.  

 

One person not surprised on how good Jim has been so far this year, is Coach Steve Ryan. ‘I could tell last year, when Jimmy was playing under 18’s as a 16 year old he was going to a very good player, and honestly I am not surprised by his form in the first 4 games. He trains extremely hard, and has been training since the first night in Pre-Season, back in November, and is rewarding himself and the football club with his great form”.  

 

“He is a pleasure to coach, is very committed, has a great fitness base and shows great maturity for a player so young. His willingness to learn and listen to myself and the other assistant coaches is another reason he is playing so well”. Ryan also said, “For a player of his age he plays like he has played senior football for 2 or 3 years, physically he is fantastic, goes in very hard and makes the ball his priority and if the opposition doesn’t pay him any respect he will cut them up. He keeps his feet and is very very quick for a player around 6ft.1. He has been great for us on the wing this year”.
Jimmy said, he just loves playing football, and to play seniors in his first year of open age is fantastic. “I really follow what Steve and the assistant coaches tell me about certain players I will come up against and my instructions for the day. I also get great advice from senior players like Travis Shaw and Matt Noldt, who have both taken me under their wings and that’s great.  In the AFL I follow Essendon, and loved watching James Hird, while of the current players I like the way Adam McPhee plays”. 

 

Jimmy played most of his Junior football on the half back flank, or at centre half back, and  last year was runner up in the under 18’s best and fairest award as a 16 year old. “Playing on the wing is great, and it’s a position I haven’t played much as a junior, so its new to me, but really I would play anywhere the guys want me to play, I just enjoy the opportunity I have in playing senior football at Rye, its great”. 

 

The Rye Football Club would like to congratulate Jimmy Jennings on being nominated this weeks MPNFL Young Gun.