7 DAYS TO GO | Kilsyth junior president Cassie Brisbane spoke to EFL Media ahead of the 2019 season, all thanks to Yarra Valley Water & Choose Tap.
Overall, were you satisfied with what the club achieved, both on and off the field, in 2018?
Cassie Brisbane: 2018 was another good year for the Kilsyth Junior Football club. Our on-field performances were impressive. We fielded 11 teams in 2018 with six of these teams playing finals and then 3 progressing to grand finals. Whilst results for our grand finalists were heartbreaking, our player and coaches were extremely proud of their efforts throughout the season. The great disappointments drive our next greatest achievements, these teams will bounce back.
Our greatest on-field success in 2018 was our under-9s winning the 2018 Lightning Premiership. This team is clean with their disposal, highly disciplined and are hungry for success.
We also fielded our first under-18 girls team which was exciting as these girls were the inaugural girls team two years ago.
Our core values of discipline, teamwork and integrity shine through in all our players as each week they wear their Cougars jumper with pride. This for me is always our club’s greatest on field achievement- our players and their love for the club. This love then becomes infectious as their parents, friends and relatives also wear Cougar gear with pride which then allows for continued support for us the committee as there is always someone to put their hand up to help out. The Kilsyth Junior Community is strong, reliable and supportive; another great strength.
Our club is in a financially strong position, which ensures;
Our players have up to date equipment and game day gear.
Our coaches (Head coach and assistant coach) are fully accredited with a Level 1 coaching certificate giving our players the most up to date teaching and learning of AFL.
Our trainers are fully qualified ensuring that in the case of an injury, our trainers are aware of processes in providing our players with the greatest care.
However, our greatest off-field performance is our connection with our local community. Our ‘Pink at Pinks’ Breast Cancer fundraiser led by Bonnie Isbester is one of the club’s favourite rounds. Local businesses donate raffle prizes, families and friends donate pink cupcakes, our players and coaches dress with their pink socks and pin hair and tutus.
All proceeds from this day are then forwarded to BCNA. ANZAC Round is also important and our players always love hearing about the stories of the diggers who come to visit. Our presence in local kinders and primary schools is good.
We are currently running clinics in our local schools and have done so for a few years now. It is our aim for every young child with a Kilsyth address, to be wearing the Black and Red. Our Auskick program running on a Saturday morning is a great starting point for our young Cougars and many of our current Juniors started their Kilsyth career in this program.
Approximately how many teams do you think you will field in 2019?
CB: In 2019, we are proud to put 13 teams on the park. Nine boys teams ranging from under-8s to under-17s and four girls teams from under-12 to under-18s. This season we are adding another team to our list, under-14s girls. These girls have feed through the under-12s and looking forward to taking their football to the next level. All of our teams are welcoming new players and as an incentive, we offer FREE club registration for first time players.
What has the feeling been like around the club over the pre-season?
CB: Excitement! With the AFLW currently on our screens, our players are ready to launch into another awesome year of footy.
If you had to pick one, which team do you think is the club’s best chance of winning a premiership this season, and why?
CB: Our under-17 team is ready. In 2018, as under-15s and bottom age under-17s, these players were disappointed with their grand final losses and they are now motivated to finish this year one better. New coach Darren Barry with his strong work ethic and eye for detail is ensuring this will happen for the group of young men.
Is there a particular age group of players that you need as soon as possible to fill a team ahead of Round 1?
CB: Our under-8s and 9s need players. As stated before, FREE registration for any first time player to our club!
If any players are interested in playing for your club this season, what do they have to do?
CB: Any players interested in coming to Kilsyth Juniors are making a good choice. They can email the club at kilsythjuniors@gmail.com to find out how to register. For information on our teams and coaches, please visit our website www.kilsythfootballclub.com.au and follow tabs to the Junior or Auskick page.
Check us out also on Facebook ‘Kilsyth Junior Football Club’ or Instagram kilsyth_junior_football_club to see what’s happening at our club.