34 DAYS TO GO | Mitcham junior president Anthony Grace 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?
Anthony Grace: 2018 was another successful year at Mitcham, with an all-time high in registrations.
Two premierships and a runners-up, including our first female team premiership (pictured below), two League best and fairest awards and numerous top five finishes (and) two kids representing Victoria, and several others invited to various summer academies and training squads.
Our greatest success is in the form of growth in various age-groups, through strong player retention, and a vibrant Auskick program feeding the future.
PHOTO CREDIT: Mitcham Junior Football Club Facebook page.
Approximately how many teams do you think you will field in 2019?
AG: 2019 will be 18 teams – 14 male and four female.
What has the feeling been like around the club over the pre-season?
AG: 2019 will be a different year at Mitcham. We have a near new committee, new major sponsor (Bendigo Bank Ringwood), new female football sponsor (Active EP), our change rooms and social rooms are being rebuilt, and we will be fielding the highest number of teams ever by the Mitcham JFC.
Like all good communities, we are fortunate to have many individuals doing more to ensure our season is as successful as possible. The relationship between the juniors and seniors is strong, with some exciting initiatives furthering that strength.
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?
AG: Our under-13A team is the obvious answer. I’m enthusiastic to see how our under-16 girls fare this season, with the top-age girls starved of on-field success last year, and the ‘bottom agers’ winning a flag in the 14s.
Premierships are wonderful for the kids, but they are the by-product of many things being done right. Premierships are not our sole success measurement.
Is there a particular age group of players that you need as soon as possible to fill a team ahead of Round 1?
AG: Like many Clubs at this time of year, most of our team numbers are settled. Our under-10 girls are light on, but we have some footy clinics at schools in our area we are running in March, which history suggests will lift numbers. Our under-9 and 10 boys could do with a boost, and the under-14 boys would prefer another four or five boys.
If any players are interested in playing for your club this season, what do they have to do?
AG: Any prospective player can simply go to our website www.mitchamjfc.com.au and click where it states “Click Here to Register”. It’s a two-minute process through the AFL Vic site. From there, our registrar will be in touch. If further information is required, email me at president.mitchamjfc@gmail.com and I can respond or direct the email as appropriate.