Past Roy Stories

150605 Roy girls off to National Championships

The club is extremely proud to announce that two of our Roy Girls are off to the School Sport National Championships in Geelong from the 18th to 25th July, 2015. Nell Morris-Dalton (FJFC U15 Girls) has been selected to represent the AFL Victoria Under 16 Development Team in the national competition, whilst Maddy Guerin (FJFC Youth Girls) has been selected in the School Sports Victoria team.
The National Schoolboy Championships were inaugurated in Melbourne in 1923. In 2008 it was renamed ‘The School Sport Australia Australian Football Championships’. In 2009 the first 16 years and under Girls Invitational competition was played between Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. 2011 saw the Inaugural School Sport Australia Girls 16 years and under Championship held with five member bodies represented and an invitational team from AFL NSW/ACT. The Girls Championship was won by Victoria who also won in 2014.
Good luck to Nell and Maddy for the championships and well done on a fantastic achievement.

150506 Amazing Maddy makes it (x2)

Football at Fitzroy has achieved another first, with Maddy Guerin being selected in the U18s Vic Metro and U16’s State squads. By any standard this is a fantastic achievement. Maddy is this week in Mandurah, Western Australia playing in the Australian Youth Girls Championship. Today they beat VIC Country 53 to 18, a great start to their campaign. You can follow the action at http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=748.

Maddy played her first season of football last year with the Roys in Gray’s Under 15’s. In that year she managed to make the YJFL U16s representative team as well as poll enough votes in the home and away rounds to be the runner up in the YJFL U15’s best and fairest. She is now playing with the FJFC Youth Girls where her dash and fearless attack on the ball has been greatly appreciated by the team. This year she has trained with the Calder Cannons development squad which has led her to being selected in the Metro and State sides.

Whilst Maddy has plenty of skills and ability it is her attitude to hard work that is one of her best attributes. Maddy takes on her challenges in her considerable stride with confidence, balance and enjoyment – well done Maddy!

The Under 16 State Championships will be played in Geelong between the 18th and 20th of July, so if you can, get down and support her.

2014 season - Premiership and Award winners 

It's been a very successful season for FJFC with 7 teams playing off in Grand Finals, 5 of which became premiers. Congratulations to all premiership teams: 
U10 Blue, U12 Red, U13 Black, U15 Division 1 & Colts Division 4. 2014 has been a really successful season and validation of all the hard work put in by the players, coaches, manager and parents throughout the year. 

Congratulations also to the club's individual awards winners: 
-James Doughney Club Champions: Michael Ercolano (Colts) & Ellie McKenzie (U12 Gold)
-Colts U17 Player of the Year – Robbie Belchamber
-Alan Moore teams of the year (same as GF winners above)
-FFC Champions Jumper – Eddie Harley & Lucy Walsh
-Brisbane / Fitzroy Historical Society Club Person of the Year – Craig Mitchell

2014 season - Roys Coaches Receive AFCA Awards

The Northern Region of the Australian Football Coaches Association (AFCA) recently held its 2014 Coach of the Year Dinner. FJFC is very proud that two of our coaches were recognized for their outstanding contributions to football.

Paul Broderick (U15-1 Premiership and Champions Coach) was awarded the Youth Coach of the Year Award. Jo Hogan (U12 Girls Coach and Auskick stalwart) was awarded the Female Contribution to Football award.

The awards reflect the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and endless energy both Paul and Jo have delivered over season 2014. We are very lucky to have such dedicated and positive role models at our club and we wish them congratulations on behalf of all our parents, players and officials.

Great job Paul and Jo!!

Paul Broderick tickled pink to see the boys so happy after their premiership win

2014 season - Five Premierships

An all time FJFC record - seven teams playing in Grand Finals. Congrats to all teams that played today!!!
Also a record-breaker was our five premiership teams. These were:

U10 Blue, U12 Red, U13 Black, U15-1 and Colts 4.

Comisserations to U10 Gold and U14 Blue, who gave it all but couldn't get over stronger opponents.

Pictured right are Monty's Colts team who overcame the favourites, St Damians in a great battle.

2014 season - Seven FJFC teams in Grand Finals

FJFC had 10 teams compete in week one of the YJFL finals series. Of those 10 teams, 7 have qualified all the way to play off in this Sunday's Grand Finals. And guess which Club of all the YJFL Clubs has the most teams playing in the Grand Final....yes indeed, Fitzroy Junior Football Club!!

We had 4 teams compete in the preliminary finals last Sunday: 3 progressed through to the Grand Final and our U11 Gold team valiantly fought it out to the very end only to lose narrowly to St Mary's.

All the Grand Final times and venues are listed below and I would encourage as many Roys supporters as possible to get along to support our other Fitzroy teams, wearing your Roys hoodies and scarves too. Then everyone is invited to call into the Fitzroy Bowls Club anytime after 5pm for our annual Grand Final night. Our canteen manager, Michelle, will be cooking plenty of hot food on the BBQ for sale plus there will also be hot meals inside the bowling club. And this time, we have been assured that there will be plenty of bar staff to thirst our quench!!

Get on down to some games and show your support for the Roys!

Here are the Grand Finals matches for FJFC this Sunday, August 31:
> 10.15am – U10 Blue vs Camberwell 2 @ Victoria Rd Reserve, Hawthorn
> 10.15am – U14 Blue vs Preston Bullants @ Gillon Oval, Brunswick
> 12.30pm – U12 Red vs St. Damians @ Gillon Oval
> 2.45pm – Colts - 4 vs St. Damians @ Gillon Oval
> 12.30pm - U13 Black vs Glen Iris @ Citizens Park, Richmond
> 2.45pm - U10 Gold vs Hawthorn Citizens @ Greythorn Park, Balwyn North
> 2.45pm - U15-1 vs Camberwell @ Schramms Reserve, Doncaster

Go Roys
Mark Buttifant
FJFC President

Grand Final Celebrations

from 5pm onwards - Sunday 31 August
Fitzroy Bowling Club

2014 season - YJFL League Presentation Night

Congratulations go out to all FJFC players who polled well in the YJFL best and fairest. While we had no outright best & fairest winners on the night we had some players who polled well including; Maddy Guerin 2nd in U15 Girls, Luke Minahan and Oliver Stapleton equal 2nd in U15 Gold, Luka Rhoderick 4th in U14 Blue, Heath Ramshaw 5th in U12 Gold, Griffin Nairn 5th in U12 Red, Joshua Ward 5th in U11 Gold and Oscar Allen 5th in U10 Gold. 

Congratulations also go to the 3 players selected in the Colts Team of the year; Campbell Moorfield, Aaron Tatchell and Kyle Thomas. To all who have had their achievements during the season acknowledged, well done.

Image Right: Heath Ramshaw (left - 12 Gold, =5th); Lachie McKain (middle - 11 Gold, =8th); Josh Ward (right - 11 Gold, 5th)

140901 Fitzroy Football Clubs Team up with Sacred Heart Primary

On Friday 22nd August the Fitzroy Senior and Junior Football clubs teamed up with Sacred Heart Primary School, where the students were introduced to the finer points of Australia’s Indigenous game Aussie Rules. Jo Hogan (our U12 Girls Coach) and Steve Earl (our U14-1 Coach) worked with a number of the Fitzroy seniors to run the clinic.

The Fitzroy Football clubs have identified the importance of a community development model in the expansion of participation pathways for the game in the local Fitzroy area.

Over 60 children participated in the clinics offered up at the Oval at Atherton Housing Estate. The children come from diverse racial backgrounds such as Sudan, China, Vietnam and they demonstrated a natural connection and flare for Aussie Rules. Children were delighted to be given footballs provided by the Fitzroy Junior Football club. They were still kicking them around the paddock well after the clinic had completed.

The coaches took the children through tackling, handball and kicking skills. The Principal of Sacred Heart primary school shared that the clinic was a great way for the residents of the Atherton Housing Estate to connect with the community.

Further Aussie Rules clinics will be held again later in the year with the Fitzroy Senior, Junior and Auskick programs focusing on utilising Aussie Rules to further engage the children and their families within the local Fitzroy Community.

140801 Inaugural FJFC Idol/trivia night

Congratulations to the organisers and the winners on the very first Fitzroy Junior Footy Club Idol & Trivia night, with over $10,000 dollars raised on the night and a good time had by all. There was much banter, discussion, goodwill and no small amount of silliness indulged in by the 280 people in attendance. 

The trivia component of the night was won by the formidable combination put together by "captain courageous" Gerry Ward, leading from the front with answers to the really curly questions, well done.

The winners of the Idol competition were the trio of merrymakers Jo Steward, Heather Jarvis and Robin Carey (right) with a rousing and exquisitely choreographed rendition of the Gloria Gaynor 70's smash hit I will survive. An honourable mention must to go to all of the performers, especially the runners up Kate Winstanley and Pete Pelegrino with their performance of Burning Down the House. Congratulations to all involved, you helped make the night the success it was. The standard of the talent on show was truly stratospheric, including the fantastic support band. 

Planning is already underway for the 2015 Idol night, which has been booked for July 25, 2015. So get that night locked away in your calendar and start rehearsing to perform your own song at next year's Idol.

140702 Roy Girls give a roar to Women's AFL Football

A group of 32 FJFC Roy Girls and their supporters gathered at Etihad stadium on Sunday 29th June, to witness The Melbourne Women's AFL Football Team defeat The Bulldogs by 46 points in the AFL 2nd Women’s Exhibition Match.
The fresh chilly morning started with an introduction to the u16 Women's State Team and a catch up with our Blackburn friends who were also in attendance at the game.

Nestling in behind the goals and by the side of the Dee’s Cheer Squad, the Roy girls observed a strongly contested, efficient and effective running game by these elite footballers.

The game was an opportunity for the Roy Girls to see what is possible in Women's AFL and to be exposed to role models that they can aspire to. Chelsea Randell from the Dees was awarded the most valuable player for her team with 23 possessions,14 marks and 2 goals.
The bulldogs Ruckman, Aastar O'Connor was their best player, finishing with 24 possessions, 11 marks and 36 hit-outs.

The Roy girls observed and discussed how the women played, seeing how to win the ball in a one on one contest, the benefit of consistent running, running to space and the value of big marks, clean hands and accurate delivery of the ball to a teammate. The match was adjudicated by all female umpires who demonstrated smart interpretation of the rules, allowing the players to show off their skills.

The girls enjoyed the atmosphere of Etihad stadium and mingling with the mascots from both the Doggies and the Dees. A few of the girls who are loyal doggies fans showed off their colours while the others in the group shouted loud for the Dees. 

The Girls represented FJFC with pride and were a great group to take to the game. A number of people attending the game were most interested to hear of the success at Fitzroy Junior Football Club in the establishment of three Girls Teams.

Many of the mums also enjoyed the morning and were most impressed with the high level of skill demonstrated by both teams. Good inspiration for the mums for the end of season Mums Vs Roy Girl scratch match to be played at the end of our last training session.

A very big thank you to Brett Daniher Manager of Education at the Western Bulldogs for organizing and providing group ticketing for the Roy Girls. Finally Congratulations to The AFL/VFL Women’s Football Development Manager Chyloe Kurdas and her team, who continue to demonstrate “how to fuel brilliance”. The Roy Girls are already looking forward to next years Women’s Match.

For those of you who missed the game you can view the replay by following this link:  http://www.afl.com.au/womens

See a great specky by Tayla Harris on Footy Classified https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=778271105546708&set=vb.378034825570340&type=2&theater

See what Jason Dunstall has to say about women’s Footy
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=778271105546708&set=vb.378034825570340&type=2&theater

140519 Brisbane Lions Coach and Captain Address Under 14’s

By Glenn Henry

Sunday 18th May – As a part of their members day at Brunswick Street Oval Brisbane Lions Coach Justin Leppitsch and Captain Jed Adcock took the time to talk to the top of the ladder Under 14’s Blue team.
Justin spoke of how important it is to do the team things, he emphasised how even the best players in the AFL need to work hard on their strengths and that in fact hard work is the very quality that makes them the best.
Jed Adcock talked about how much of a thrill it was to captain an AFL team and that his main job was to make sure his team-mates were following the coaches instructions and team rules.
Justin left the boys with the advice “if you see something happening during the game that needs to be fixed, do something about it, don’t just watch!”

140513 Footy Mums

By Grandpa Pannell
Under 11 Green Player Grandfather

Where has Saturday night and Sunday morning gone?
Can’t party on or sleep in, spending the morning
Just yawning.
Now it’s up before dawn
After the alarm’s five minute warning
Rubbing sleep out of the eyes
Clearing the head
Getting kids out of bed
And ready
For FOOTY.

Not the game they used to play
On Saturday afternoons,
But the one where the kids show the way
In the Sunday morning crack-of-dawn game.

Mum’s the timekeeper today
So there’s no time for breakfast, no time to do her hair
(Coffee when we get there).

Just look at it:
Rain, rain, rain
Pouring again
Rain, rain, rain.

It’s underwater footy today –
The ground is sodden,
The ball is sodden,
The kids are sodden;
At least today there’s more mud than blood.
But who’s going to wash it off their clothes?
Mum I suppose.

140513 U10’s watch Fitzroy Seniors get home in close game

By Craig Tate
U10-2 team coach

The FJFC Under 10 Blue team were fortunate during the week to have the Captain of the Senior Fitzroy side (and ex FJFC player), Rory Angiolella, visit their training session.  Rory ran the boys through some drills then stuck around to offer some advice and guidance during a scratch match. 
Some of the team then followed up the session by watching Rory and his team-mates take on Caulfield Grammarians at Brunswick Street Oval on the Saturday.  Further adding to the experience, Coach Michael Pickering allowed the boys in to the change rooms at half time enabling them to really soak up the atmosphere of the occasion.
Whilst the slippery conditions made scoring tough, there was no doubting the effort put in by the players.  Down by 2 points at ¾ time Fitzroy managed to rally and dominate the last quarter to run out 15 point winners. 
A big thanks to Michael, Rory (whom the boys now consider an absolute legend) and all the players and officials associated with Fitzroy for providing the U10 Blue boys with this experience, it helps them realise what a great thing the football community, and being part of a Club is.

140424 NAB Rising Star Nominee Dylan Buckley returns to visit Roys!

On Wednesday 23rd April, AFL Carlton (and ex-FJFC) player Dylan Buckley visited Ramsden St Oval and addressed the U15-1, U12-1 and U10-3 teams at their training session. Dylan’s visit was associated with his recent Round 2 nomination as a NAB Rising Star and is part of NAB's commitment to the AFL where the junior football club of Rising Star nominees receive a recognition pack including footballs and drink bottles, as well as $1000 cash.
Sam Calogero from the NAB was on hand to introduce Dylan to the players, along with FJFC Club Secretary Simon Minahan.
Dylan seemed excited to be back at his footy 'home' and he spoke passionately about his time at Fitzroy, the mates he made, the great times he had and about his pathway to Carlton.  Dylan took questions from the players - a great experience for them to hear from a peer, what he has been through and why he has got to the position in his footy career that he has.
It was a great footy experience for those there, and very humbling for our boys to hear a professional speak and reminisce so wonderfully about our great club.
FJFC thanks the NAB and Carlton Football Club for having Dylan join us for this session and the generosity of the NAB in donating the recognition pack.
Click here to see the associated news article on the Carlton Football Club website.

Dylan addresses players from our U10, U12 and U15 teams.		Dylan in action with Carlton FC.
Dylan back in his FJFC playing days.				Sam Calogero (NAB), Dylan Buckley and Simon Minahan (FJFC Secretary)

131215 FJFC Announces Colts lead Coach

The FJFC is very excited to announce the appointment of Bernie Dinneen as the lead Colts Coach for 2014. We are delighted to secure a senior footballer and coach with Berni’sexperience Bernie has to lead our Colts into season 20134. Bernie is a highly decorated and successful player, having the following achievements:

• 6-time league Best & Fairest 
• (1998, 2001-02, 2005-06, 2010)
• 4-time Premiership Player (1997-98, 2001, 2006)
• 8-time Vic Representative (incl 2 BOG’s)
• 2-time All-Australian (VAFA)

As a coach Bernie brings a huge amount of experience having coached senior football at Bayswater FC, 2009-2011 (EFL) and most recently East Ringwood FC, 2012-13 (EFL).

In addition to his extensive football experience, Bernie is a PE teacher at a local high school (Princes Hill Secondary College) and knows many of our players through his community connections and his knowledge and experience dealing with youth make him the ideal lead Colts coach for FJFC.

Bernie will be introduced to our Colts players at the Colts Season Launch to be held at Victoria Park, 10am Sunday 15th December, 2013. Players interested in Colts football with FJFC should come along to this initial training session and Bernie will outline the plans for the pre-season program.

131201 The Girls invade Victoria Park

Women's AFL is the fastest-growing sport in the nation. More than 136,000 women played the game in 2012,. 2013 saw the AFL endorse the first women’s match at the MCG and in 2014 the Roy Girls will be creating history by being the first females to don the maroon and blue jumper for Fitzroy.

Fitzroy Girls took to the field on Sunday 1st December, invading Victoria Park., the former home of the Collingwood Football Club. The Ladies Stand on the ground’s north side, may have been pulled down in 1929 to make way for the Jack Ryder Stand, but we can confirm, “The Girls are back in town”

Ranging from 10 -18 years, thirty three girls of varying talent and experience joined coaches and supporters for the inaugural Fitzroy Junior Football Club female coaching clinic.

The girls were guided through their first run of the 2014 pre season by quality coaches, some legends of the game, along with others experienced in coaching female athletes. Skill building drills and the finer points of kicking, marking, handball and tackling were introduced to the squad. Some girls came with no experience of AFL football, whilst others brought their experience from sports such as Hockey, Basketball, Netball and Track and Field.

The session concluded with a fun and well-contested game, which enhanced a great team spirit:  New friends were made, a love of the game discovered. All girls in attendance were presented with their own Fitzroy training jumper and were left ready and raring for the next clinic.

Go Roy Girls!!! 

130825 Roy Story

August 25, 2013 marked the day that the Roys U11 Gold team ran onto the ground for their much anticipated Grand Final against the highly fancied Greythorn. In a game of high brinksmanship, the Roys supporters showed they meant business from the outset by displaying not one but two banners for their team. One banner was to commemorate the 50th game milestones of Harry, Louis & Angus and the other of course for the Roys themselves. There is one thing for sure and that is this supporter team, led by the master banner maker Inger, have become well versed in the art of banner making such is the team’s likings for 50th game milestones and consistent grand final appearances.

The game ebb and flowed throughout the match and many times during the first 3 quarters , it looked as if the powerful Greythorn unit were going to run all over the smaller Roys team! However the Roys team to their credit did not stop trying at any stage and with amazing resilience hung in there each time they were challenged. Each time the game looked likely to fall totally Greythorn’s way, the Roys defied that by bobbing up with just enough goals to stay close. Heath jagged one, then Harry & finally Finn kicked a long bomb and at ¾ time, the Roys were down but not totally out with a deficit of 17 points.

Coaches Ramshaw, Doyle & Barton encouraged the young Roys to fight for victory till the very end and urged on by the huge Fitzroy crowd , the Roys came out in the last quarter determined to give it all they had. Their effort was fantastic however full credit must be given to their opponents, Greythorn, who in the end proved to be the best side and a deserving U11 Gold premier for 2013. The final score was Greythorn: 9.7.61 defeated Fitzroy: 3.7.25

And so it came to be that in the last U11 game for the 2013 season, the Grand Final, was also the last day this team was to be coached by John Ramshaw. Coach Ramshaw had announced to the team and all the families that he would be coaching the youngest member of the Ramshaw clan, Laird’s team, in 2014 and therefore he would not be coaching this team again. To a packed change room, in an emotion charged address, Coach Ramshaw reminded each player how proud he was to have had the honour of leading this team and also how pleased he was to have seen each of them develop and mature not just as footballers but also as young boys and girls.

On behalf of all the families involved during this period, I would like to say thank to you all our coaches Gray, Cam & John and of course our Mr Reliable team manager, Ian . Without your input and tireless endeavours , none of the past 3 years would have been possible. In those 3 years, our team has provided us all with so many wonderful memories and experiences. Lastly, a special mention of gratitude and sincere appreciation must go to our very own Coach Ramshaw who has been such a wonderful coach and mentor to all our boys and girls over the past 3 years…Thank You.

See you all next year hopefully..

Butters

130605 Roy Story

On Wednesday, June 5 both U11 Fitzroy teams and many of their families were given the rare treat of firstly training together as a squad. This was followed by a get together and a lovely meal in the Community Rooms, kindly organised by our over worked secretary, Pennie Hayes. Not just any slap dash BBQ mind due but no, these Roys were treated by Adrian Richardson of La Luna fame and one of Melbourne’s hot celebrity chefs. Adrian sent his team down to Brunswick Street Oval to feed up the hungry Roys with an array of tasty foods and ice creams.

Whilst all the players and families devoured their treats, they were given a rare insight into the life of an AFL footballer by a special visit from Richmond’s boom young recruit, Brandon Ellis. Brandon made a trip down to Brunswick Street oval and took the floor to answer countless questions from the captivated throng. It is rare to see so many U11 boys & girls quiet for almost an hour such was their interest in Brandon’s stories and answers.

Brandon emphasised the message to the many players and families present to really enjoy their footy now, don’t get too stressed by it and continue to participate in a wide range of sporting activities. He reminded all there is no need to start focusing too much on one activity at an early age…that does not need to happen until players turn at least 15-16 years of age.

As Coach Ramshaw said….”    what a terrific young man Brandon Ellis is! It was a real treat for our players (& parents) to understand the time & effort that goes  into being an AFL player, and I'm sure everyone took something away from listening to him…..”

Many thanks to Adrian Richardson and his staff and also of course, Brandon Ellis, for coming down to Brunswick Street and turning a wintry Wednesday night into a night that will be long remembered by the many players and families that were present.

Mark Buttifant

130425 Roy Story

Our inaugural Roy Story comes from our U10-2 team coach Phil Murdoch. Read on for a great account of how this group of players achieved their first win at the club – after a whole season. 
Our Under 10 team went through the entire 2012 season without a win.
Fresh from Auskick and all bottom age players (turning 9 last year), every player was looking forward to their first season of "real footy" with great anticipation and expectation.
The reality was that this was to be the season in the making for their top age Under 10 season in 2013.
2012 was a season of development, encouragement and fun, with each of the team's and individual's achievements celebrated.
At the beginning of the season, we set out our thoughts and philosophy with the parents. These were based on:
Playing in a team: For many of the boys, it was going to be the first time they played in a team. My focus was on getting them to know each other and build mutual respect. As we know, a team is only as good as the sum of all of its players.
Encouragement: Players all have different abilities. Some despair at times that they are not good enough. That’s when they need and will get encouragement.
Parent feedback: I encouraged all parents to feel free to call me at any time if they had any issues, concerns or feedback to give and I let them know I would be happy to drop and have a chat with them or their child at any time.
Team Manager, Jodie Munro, says happy parents are the key to the success of a team. If their child is happy they will be too. Engaging the parent group also brings out a wealth of resources for the team (photography, newsletter production, physiotherapy insights, sporting contacts, knowledge etc).
Winning and losing: It is not about winning at all costs – it’s about the experience. Winning is great, but losing and being a good sport is just as great.
Enjoyment: Above all, the boys need to enjoy playing the game.
Each week, a newsletter focussed on each of the boys and their achievements. During the year, the team got together twice for a meal and a slide presentation called The good, the bad and the funny.
A presentation at the end of season BBQ showcased each boy individually, with each player receiving their own A3 laminated poster.
Season 2013 commenced and ALL of the boys had returned to the fold. In Round 1, they won their first ever game – and by 52 points - with much celebration from parents and players alike.