Wind back the clock to mid February. We were only a week after the horrors of Black Saturday. Many in our football community across the valley were deeply affected by thoses events. Kinglake and parts of Yarra Glen were decimated. Healesville was still under direct fire attack. Over at St.Josephs College in Ferntree Gully, 40 or so young men assembled to begin the 4 month 2009 U16 Interleague campaign.
My aim was to further develop this squads football ability and each individuals personal character. From night one, I spoke of punctuality for training and courtesy to coaching staff and support staff. I wanted to teach the squad that at club level, all those helping you are volunteers and give up their time to help you. Make sure you respect these people and always acknowledge their efforts.
It was a committed effort by those boys through the first 6 weeks. Some travelling from deep within the valley to get to Ferntree Gully. On top of school work and club football expectations, they were terrific.
We worked really hard on our skills and our style of play which was to handball and keep the ball moving at all costs where possible. In my experience of Junior & Senior football in our area, a lot of boys who come through the system are very accomplished at contested football but struggle with the extreme running. This, I put down to the fact that we have a lot of grounds that are small and narrow, and they grow up getting the ball and slamming it on the boot because that’s all they have time to do. Knowing that we were playing our carnival at Shepley Oval, we couldn't play like that and expect to be competitive. All the other Rep sides play on the big grounds and have the experience of running from behind and running out wide to create options and/or space.
The carnival itself was a taxing 6 or so days. Shepley Oval was in mint condition and at U16 level, the football is becoming quite physically demanding in terms of stronger bodies, tackling and more exhaustive running required. There is no doubt that quite a number of the guys were not expecting the level to be such an intense one and took some time to adapt.
By game 3 however, we took on the eventual champions (Dandenong) and our attack on the ball, our tackling and our run was by far the most inspired over the whole carnival. What it showed was that we did have the ability to be competitve, and that the message was sinking in; that this is the way modern football is played.
Better players for the carnival were, in no order: Sean Beath, Aaron Rowe, Beau Kitto, Liam O'Brien and Nick Hendrikx. After a slowish start, the skipper Jake Matthews hit back hard in games 2 and 3 and ultimately earnt himself our player of the carnival.
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank some people for the time they have given. To the Interleague Committee, and Ian Purdon, Ray Fellows and Johnny Myers in particular for your unconditional support for the past 4 months. To Steve White and Phil Behre, who have not only been terrific in their roles as Team Managers but I would like to say that I have found 2 new mates which is an added bonus.
Last but not least, to the Jakes, Chandler and McInness. These 2 boys were never going to play Interleague this year due to long term injuries. That they continued to assist me with training through the whole program and on the bench over the carnival was just an outstanding effort and one I won't forget. I hope you boys got something out of the time with me, though not exactly in the way you would have hoped.
Well done to all the boys. You acquitted yourselves brilliantly throughout the year. All the best for the remainder of the year and I look forward to seeing you around the traps over the coming seasons.
Tim Scott
Coach U16 Interleague
2009
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