Healesville Junior Football Club laid claim to a swag of awards in 2007, from left, president Mick Connell, U15 coach Leigh Dryden, player Michael Davern, coach of the year Darren Wilde, umpire mentor Andrew Egginton and under 16 coach David Nugent.By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE Junior Football Club is going to have to put in a massive effort to top their performance in 2007.
According to club secretary Kylie Rowe, they’re up for the challenge.
The club’s accolades start with its award for Best Conducted Club in the Dandenong Ranges Junior Football League.
They were voted Community Club of the Week by the AFL, recognition given to only 20 clubs across the state each year, and received a certificate of recognition for community work in the Shire of Yarra Ranges Australia Day Awards.
People – kids and adults – are the key element in all of the above awards and Mrs Rowe said the club had been fortunate to attract a wealth of committed and talented players and supporters.
First year coach Darren Wilde won Coach of the Year for Eastern Region and was runner-up in the State competition while Under 15 coach Leigh Dryden was nominated in the Eastern Region competition.
Andrew Egginton runs the Umpire Mentor Program at Queen’s Park as part of the YVMDFL Umpire’s Association Trainee Program.
Anyone wanting to train as an umpire should contact Mr Egginton at Healesville.
Mrs Rowe said the club was very community focused and were thrilled to be the only sporting club to be recognised in the shire’s Australia Day Awards.
Their community efforts have included a food drive for Healesville Interchurch Community Care (HICCI), fund-raising for the Cancer Council of Victoria and player participation in the local Anzac Day March.
“We have also worked to create a pathway between our club and the senior club with a seminar on nutrition and this year we will be presenting a joint seminar on alcohol called “Looking After Your Mates”, and another on drugs in sport,” Mrs Rowe said.
The club will be participating in the DRJFL’s Under 15 night-time game initiative.
“Some kids miss out on playing footy and are lost to the sport. With the night-time competition we are trying to give as many kids the opportunity to play so they keep in touch with the club spirit and team atmosphere,” Mrs Rowe said. She said the DRJFL will run Under 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 competitions this year and encouraged parents to look at Australian Rules Football as an opportunity for children, teenagers and themselves to get involved in their community.
There are 15 clubs in the DRJFL recruiting for the 2007 season – Belgrave, Emerald, Gembrook/Cockatoo, Healesville, Monbulk, Mount Evelyn, Olinda/Ferny Creek, Seville, South Belgrave, Upwey/Tecoma, Wandin, Wesburn, Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction. For contact details visit drjfl.vcfl.com.au.
