Community Camp 2008 3 days reviewed.

[St.Walker]

Whats with Nicks knee?.... its bandaged in the photos

[Raven]

Eljay's looking a bit more tanked than I thought he'd be. Well, his arms at least.

[nabby7]

nice fotos brat
a lot actually
good one

anddd ge those bra things..or wat ever thing goose wears look damn ridiculous on the players lol

[saintbrat]

Whats with Nicks knee?.... its bandaged in the photos

bandaged in one and not other- was not bandaged for the light Tuesday session
but was for the heavier Wednesday session- so maybe precaution whilst running.--but only a SUPPOSITION>

[saintbrat]

Day 1- Monday 4th Feb 2008 memory joggers for others that may have been there : add your own.

2.30pm team arrives at official function after not getting too lost finding their Motel But missing lunch. Having completed a four hour training session at Moorabbin in the morning (me thinks someone forget it is a 2 hr drive to Ballarat for the uninitiated.)
Archie and Ross showed they'd done their Saints and Ballarat connection homework,
the Mayor displayed his Bulldogs allegiance and the team made short work of the food available before collecting their little momento and most writing their name in the visitors book.
age shows- a few went for tea and coffee most went for juice.

4.15pm - safely delivered to North Ballarat Sports ground the boys were met by the smell of the BBQ- familiar staff from merchandise and membership departments and a 100 or so kids in various team colours ready to say hi and get the photo autograph etc

noted: Fraser would willingly show young fans how to hold the football to get the best kick, More mature team members were more than ready to ensure the new guys learnt to take sessions and give directions,
ALL were more than patient with children of all ages from the miniscule running around to the slightly older with just an autograph hunt in mind.
Interviews being held all over the ground, Kenny, Matty, NDS, - several of which I am still to see in print or hear on radio

8.00 pm and nearly 200 eager football fans from all teams were there to greet them team with the song as they arrived at the official function.
time for more photos and autographs,- the less well known managed to find a small corner whilst the others took the heat.
plenty of time to mingle and chat buy a jumper or scarf, or raffle ticket before the semi official interview period- Ross, Fraser and Lenny.
Raffle drawn By Luke, Jason and Micheal- who Bally tried to get included as one of the prices- before the team departed for rest.
auctions and more food and drink followed.

I personally felt the style of evening was good to allow many to chat to many- rather than just the people you are sitting at a dinner with. ( although being on the shorter side it's a tall world out there when in a room of AFL footballers)

day's 2 and 3 will follow .

[barks4eva]

I had FUN
got some photos
a hug or two,

Thanks Gail, I hope this helped to cheer you up a bit

best wishes

[saintbrat]

do people want days 2 and 3 reports ?

[ausfatcat]

of course

[saintbrat]

ok I had one request and for now that's enough to keep me going

Day 2.
Morning- and it would appear that all players using GPS or just plain old maps found their schools- From Beaufort to Newlyn and Buninyong and several in between. I haven't heard follow up reports but knew of several excited youngsters looking forward to the Saints visit.

Lunch at Motel before Meetings as which the leadership situation was discussed

4.30pm- the players found themselves back at North Ballarat for a short skills session. 4 lucky North Ballarat Rebels got to join in the session while the rest of their team trained further away. Noting the impact of handballs ( see media reports)
Warm up and stretches which included the worship the ground stretch before it was onto handballing, kicking and simple running
There was one drill I hadn't seen before - to have all the balls at one end and crossball style handball to the other end as fast as possible.
the kick the ball into the bin followed - but to my eye none made it

The next drill involved another piece of equipment to be collected from saints Staff- the permanent marker.
there followed many photos , signings and interviews all around the ground. with simple kick to kicks occurring if players found a little space with a couple of kids.
it was also a chance for many players to catch up with former reserves/ scorpions coach Gerard Fitzgerald who is back in charge at Nth Ballarat
tea at North Ballarat

7.30 Coaches forum- despite my best intentions I didn't attend both forums but noted quite a few local coaches attending this session
7.30 Players forum- with a larger number of attendees as the TAC and other teams joined the group.
Led by Max Hudghton and Justin Koschitzke
No note pad and heaps said but here goes
Both spoke on leadership and how the changes occurred and were received- ie rotating and shared, mentioned the club beginning community camps in Warrnambool, spoke highly on some of Grant's innovations.
questions: sacrifices?
Kosi- yes you see others doing schoolies etc but he sees playing AFL and for the Saints as a PRIVILAGE and wouldn't do anything else.
commitment?
Kosi: have seen plenty of players leave during his 6 years, due to lack of commitment and being unwilling to make the sacrifices needed.
Changes?
Max- massive changes since he began 14 yrs ago, used to be training 3 days per week and you went in after your day job- now often 7 days per week.
Goal setting?
max- never set unrealistic goals- yes you can aim for the premiership BUt only 1 team gets it does that make whole seasona failure, goal to play 22 games? again circumstances change and this would may not be achievable after very first or second game.
set your goal at something you can achieve- Ie to beat your opponent ( he told of his first game against West coast and playing on John worsfold- told to play close on one player who DETESTED it and who let you know in no uncertain terms he didn't,)
Nick R's goal is to dominate every game he plays.
( I heard on radio during the week that one of Robert Harvey's goals - to learn something new at every trianing session)
media scrutiny? Doubts after injuries?
Kosi- yes he did think about why he was doing it during his injuries and DID not want any more questions BUT the TEAM got him through and again he repeated that ( pointing to the Saints badge) this was the reason he persisted. Max said he NEVER reads media but his wife does- the media are there to make money , and ....
Robert Harvey?
Max- he just goes out there and does at every training session and every game- never says much But shows by example. very quiet.
Mentoring
- Max said Ross had instigated the mentor system,where older players were responsible for two younger ones- he had Sam Gilbert and jimmy gwilt last year and enjoyed his role.

In closing and realising they were talking to a group which would/ may be looking to be AFL footballers,
yes there are sacrifices But the opportunities are great, need to be athletic, able to run all day, aerobic, and able to develop ball skills. and reminded them that football clubs now look at ALL your background, family and character play a big part,

[saintbrat]

Day 3
Morning - Training 9-11 am at Ballarat Grammar school oval
the mists had descended ( but no complaining by locals who haven't seen anything wet for over 10 days) as the morning session began, it was conducted by SOS that I could see
Session included - warm up and stretches
- a group run around the oval
- short sprints with the twisting action
-group tended to break into groups doing various activities dependant on their physical needs
-one group doing short sprint work on one side of the ground- Bally then extended his to longer sprints at full pace- to the point of gut wrenching, others continue short sprints
- four running laps- Max and Khan, before going for rehab stretches.
Goose and Nick - these two continued running for a long time and extended the distance past the boundary of the oval.
-others were doing group work on the far side of the oval - sorry couldn't see it all- but over the time included ruck and ball handling work,
- several obviously went for other activities- maybe pool or massages- again on far side of ground and not obvious.
-one group did ruck tap out and another ( back men) did tap through goals work.
- as the session came to a close the oval runners reduced to a walk- with Goose telling Roo that walking fast didn't change the distance on the marker,
-the rest again did across oval runs backward and forward. before warm downs and stretches.
Impressions: one of the more involved sessions I had seen ( despite my lack of info above) it went for well on the two hours and although Not all players present most were active for the two hours.

Plenty of local support in the Pavilion seats and near the team, the Grammar kids from Prep to VCE and in between took it in turns to come out and check the action and a St Patricks class also made an appearance.

11.15am ( or maybe after) as the training session didn't finish till right on 11 am I fully expected the groups to be late for next sessions of the Community camp and this proved to be so for atleast the location I was at.
Hospitals, older persons homes, schools and the Local shopping centre had 2-3 players visit.
The AFL store scored Robert Harvey and Charlie Gardiner
the three players I saw at the Local specialist school were personable and willing, accepting of the impulses of students.
I heard three tall guys managed to get around several groups at a local nursing home-
whilst the hospital visits scored the media photographers.

12.30 and it's lunch before heading for home.

It was a most enjoyable three days and a great opportunity to get up close to the whole team or just to observe with a clear view.
Thanks for coming Saints

[milney044]

thanks a lot for that saintbrat, good read, hope you enjoyed yourself.

[jk23]

some more from me on the boys visit to Nazareth House.

Day 3.
When the boys arrived at Nazareth House Nursing home they shook our hands and introduced themselves, it was so funny as they said their names one by one I said to them I know who you are !!! ( Michael Gardiner, Jason Blake and Luke Van Rheenen)They were very patient and accommodating followed us around everywhere, when we arrived in the Dimentia area one of the residents looked at the boys and said WOW I did not barrick for St.Kilda but I will be from no on, everyone including the boys just cracked up laughing. The boys had to be very careful going through there doorways as they had to duck they are so tall ! Very impressed and proud of our boys.

photos to follow

[jk23]

[saintbrat]

this person seems alittle young for a retirement hostel?

[ausfatcat]

Must be an ABI peerson we kept hearing from the pollies during the election.