ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB DECEMBER 2013 ISSUE 8 WELCOME MESSAGE JAMES HIRD ACADEMY - SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS PLAYER AGE SCHOLARSHIP Jedd Clothier 18 NSW Scholarship JAMES HIRD ACADEMY - FATHER/SONS PLAYER AGE FATHER Daniel Thompson 19 Mark Thompson Jydon Neagle 19 Merv Neagle Callum Daniher 18 Chris Daniher Todd Vander Haar 17 Paul Vander Haar Jake Long 17 Michael Long Nathan Neagle 17 Merv Neagle Tom Wallis 16 Dean Wallis Hello and welcome to the third and forward to welcoming little Connor Jett Bewick 16 Darren Bewick final edition of the James Hird Academy and Harlan to the JHA ranks soon. Harvey Daniher 16 Chris Daniher Newsletter for 2013. Matthew Neagle 15 Merv Neagle In closing, the James Hird Academy The Academy has enjoyed a banner would like to congratulate all JAMES HIRD ACADEMY - BABY BOMBERS year, with a number of youngsters Academy members on their football PLAYER AGE FATHER producing impressive performances at achievements this season. Thanks also Jaxon Neagle 13 Merv Neagle junior level throughout the past season. to all the parents for their continued Mason Fletcher 13 Dustin Fletcher support and involvement with the JHA. Ricky O’Donnell 13 Gary O’Donnell A total of five Academy members Darcy Denham 13 Sean Denham earned State Selection at the National 2014 is set to be another promising year Kurtis Barnard 12 Paul Barnard Championships in both the Under 18 for the Academy, with our inaugural Tom Hird 12 James Hird and Under 16 categories; while sons Head Coach, Martin Allison overseeing Max Fletcher 10 Dustin Fletcher of guns, Daniel Thompson and Jydon the football program. Joshua Misiti 10 Joe Misiti Neagle also donned the red sash for Thank you for your readership this Nyawi Lovett-Murray 10 Nathan Lovett-Murray Essendon’s VFL side. season and we look forward to bringing Alex Hird 10 James Hird In more exciting news for the Academy, you all the latest news from the James Tex Wanganeen 10 Gavin Wanganeen the off-season has gotten off to an Hird Academy throughout next year Luca Alessio 9 Steve Alessio encouraging start with the arrival of and beyond. Alwyn Jr Davey 9 Alwyn Davey two bouncing baby Bomber boys! The Jayden Davey 9 Alwyn Davey We wish all members of the greater James Hird Academy would like to Will Hamilton 8 Paul Hamilton Essendon Family a very Merry congratulate Brent Stanton and his Luke Barnard 8 Paul Barnard Christmas and as always, go Bombers! partner Sonja on the birth of their son, Noah Caracella 7 Blake Caracella Connor, who arrived on the evening Stay up to date with the JHA by visiting Alex Alessio 7 Steve Alessio of October 17th. Paddy Ryder and his the following address: essendonfc.com. Alijah Davey 6 Alwyn Davey partner Jess are also celebrating the au/team/james-hird-academy Mara Lovett-Murray 5 Nathan Lovett-Murray birth of their son, Harlan, who was Logan Daniher 5 Chris Daniher welcomed into the world on October Taj McPhee 5 Adam McPhee 27th. The Academy extends warm Aidan Ramanauskas 5 Adam Ramanauskas wishes to both families and we look William Hird 4 James Hird Koby Bewick 4 Darren Bewick Max Alessio 4 Steve Alessio Thomas Caracella 4 Blake Caracella Lucas Ramanauskas 3 Adam Ramanauskas Cove McPhee 3 Adam McPhee Rylan Johnson 2 Mark Johnson Cruz Davey 1 Alwyn Davey Noah Peverill 1 Damien Peverill Lenny Solomon 1 Dean Solomon Jacob Lloyd 1 Matthew LLoyd Connor Stanton 3m Brent Stanton Harlan Ryder 2m Paddy Ryder JHA CAMP REVIEW: BABY BOMBERS INVADE WINDY HILL On a sun-drenched September afternoon; revered Essendon names JHA STAFF UPDATE including the likes of Vander Haar, The James Hird Academy would Thompson, Daniher and Bewick once like to extend a warm welcome again strode out across the hallowed to our newest member of staff, turf of Windy Hill. Martin Allison, who joins the JHA The fresh-faced sons of Bomber as Head Coach for 2014. Marty heroes from days gone by gathered brings a wealth of knowledge and together for the annual James Hird experience from coaching stints Academy Camp, an event that invokes at the Calder Cannons TAC Cup fond memories of the past and eager team and the Vic Metro Under 18 anticipation of the future. National Championship squad. The Camp kicked off bright and early Marty looks forward to working on the morning of September 25th; JHA with coach Marty Allison closely with the Academy boys exactly 20 years ago to the day that next year and can’t wait to help Mark Thompson led his team of Baby them achieve their footy goals. Bombers to premiership glory by the wings of Windy Hill and soared defeating the Blues in the 1993 Grand above packs. Final. Chris Daniher, Dean Wallis and A spirited goal-kicking competition put Daniel Darren Bewick also played their role Thompson in that famous victory and it seemed a full stop on the morning session, with and Marty fitting that their sons returned to the the Head Coach and Academy staff Allison club on the anniversary of the 93 flag. also taking part in a ‘winner takes all’ showdown. Echoing the sharp-shooting Hird Academy Head Coach, Martin skills of his dad, Jett Bewick claimed Allison, commenced proceedings by top honours; splitting the middle with addressing the eager troupe in the EFC a number of miracle goals from the Auditorium and welcomed the newest boundary-line. inductees to the Acceleration group. After breaking for a fully-catered lunch Harvey Daniher was presented with his in the Essendon Player’s Lounge, the official James Hird Academy Guernsey, boys were treated to an in-depth game- while proud dad, Chris looked on play analysis meeting conducted by with twinkling eyes from his third-row Senior Development Manager, James seat. Harvey’s elevation into the JHA’s Byrne. James educated the lads on what JHA JUMPER Acceleration Group capped-off what it takes to ‘play the Essendon way’ and PRESENTATION has been an impressive year for the explained how defence can be the best youngster, after having performed form of attack out on the footy field. extremely well for NSW/ACT’s Under 16 In August of this year, the team at the National Championships. Legendary trainer and club stalwart, members of the James Hird Colin ‘Hoops’ Hooper then took the Academy Acceleration Group were Keen to make every moment count, boys through a specialised running invited to participate in a special the boys pulled on their striking JHA workshop, aimed at refining each training session at Windy Hill. jumpers and hit the training track with Academy Member’s running technique This elite squadron is comprised vigour. As the senior-most members both with and without the footy in- of Academy members from the of the Acceleration Group; Daniel hand. Hoops seemed particularly Thompson and NSW scholarship holder, age of 16 and onwards, who impressed with Jett’s fleet-footed appear to be on the precipice of Jedd Clothier took the initiative in brilliance, remarking, “I think you’re guiding their younger Academy cohorts launching a potential AFL career. quicker than your old man!” The All Acceleration Group members in a series of training drills under the plaudit was immediately followed were presented with official James watchful eye of Coach Marty and JHA up with a sheepish, “Don’t tell him Hird Academy guernseys to signify Fitness Coordinator, Des O’Sullivan. I said that though”. that they have taken the next step Tom Wallis showed clean-hands Finally, the boys escaped the blazing in their development. The jumper in close when disposing of the ball sun and retreated to the cool surrounds proudly displays Essendon’s under pressure and Harvey Daniher of the EFC gymnasium for a short displayed exemplary foot skills, while famous colours and the back is warm-down session, bringing their adorned with the number that continuously hitting targets on the exciting day at Bomberland to a close. lead. Still recovering from serious each boy’s father wore for the stress fractures after an injury-plagued The Academy would like to thank Bombers. It is with the ideology in season; Todd Vander Haar also everyone involved for making this year’s mind that these young future stars participated in a modified training JHA Camp one to remember and we take pride in wearing the club’s regime. The youngster’s flowing blond look forward to seeing you again in 2014. colours in preparation for the day hair, adept marking ability and spring- JHA Camp Attendees: Jedd Clothier, Mark that they earn the coveted red sash loaded heels reminded onlookers of the Thompson, Todd Vander Haar, Harvey as a senior-listed Essendon player. days when his father dominated across Daniher, Tom Wallis and Jett Bewick. CONGRATULATIONS The James Hird Academy would like to extend hearty congratulations to Alwyn Davey, who played in his 100th game for the Essendon Football Club against Richmond in Round 23 at the MCG. The fleet-footed goal-sneak affectionately known as, ‘Froggy’ has four young sons who are now eligible to be drafted to the club via the Father/ Son Rule. The Academy looks forward to inducting the quartet of ‘Davey Tadpoles’; Alwyn Jr, Jayden, Alijah and Cruz, to the ever-growing list of Baby Bombers very soon. AROUND THE GROUNDS Jett Bewick Tom Wallis Daniel Thompson Matthew Neagle Harvey Daniher Jydon Neagle Jedd Clothier • Harvey Daniher (NSW/ACT) and Tom • Jedd Clothier (Calder Cannons), • Jedd Clothier (NSW/ACT), Jydon Wallis (VIC Metro) were selected to Daniel Thompson (Calder Cannons) Neagle (NSW) and Jake Long represent their states at the NAB AFL and Jydon Neagle (Murray (NT were all chosen to represent U16 National Championships.