2014 EFL Pre-Season Wiki | Tomorrow: Rowville
KNOX Junior Football Club president Ash Heppell speaks to Ben Waterworth as his club prepares for the 2014 season.
Ben Waterworth: Overall, were you satisfied with what the club achieved, both on and off the field, in 2013?
Ash Heppell: Yeah, we had a successful year. We had five teams make the finals, two make Grand Finals and two win the premiership in the Under 15A’s and Under 17D’s. We fielded good numbers in all the other grades. We also had great development in the Under 8’s. The club has lost a few players over the pre-season, but more importantly gained a few more.
Approximately how many teams do you think you will field in 2014?
Eleven teams – one in every age group. We’ll have three Under 17’s – one in Premier, one in A’s and one in D’s.
What has the feeling been like around the club over the pre-season?
Fantastic. The kids started training really early. There is a good buzz around the club. The coaches are confident and the players and members are happy with how the club is set. We are always trying to create a family-friendly environment while trying to be as competitive as we can. We’ll be focusing on developing the team, coaches and members and making this a place where the community wants to be.
If you had to pick one, which team do you think is the club’s best chance of winning a premiership this season?
I’d like to see our Premier side take out a flag. Our 14’s would be a good chance and I wouldn’t put it past our Under 12’s after their practice matches yesterday [Sunday]. I think we’ll have a good spread of teams getting into finals, but it’s a bit hard having not seen the entire fixture.
Is there a particular age group of players that you need as soon as possible to fill a team ahead of Round 1?
The only teams would be our Under 12’s and Under 10’s, who are slightly low on numbers.
If any players are interested in playing for Knox Junior Football Club this season, what do they have to do?
Call me [Ash Heppell] on 0425 731 594.