Mosman Swans 2014 Season Launch

Post date: Mar 7, 2014 10:32:26 PM

Mosman, Tuesday 4 March

Sydney Swans players Dan Robinson and Jeremy Laidler were on hand to help the Mosman Swans junior AFL club kick off the 2014 season at Middle Head Oval on Tuesdaynight.

More than 200 enthusiastic boys and girls of all ages took the opportunity to participate in drills and listen to playing tips from Robinson, the first Mosman Swans player to graduate to the Sydney Swans senior list, and Laidler, who recently joined the Sydney Swans from Carlton.

Both players joined training across the age groups and later signed autographs and answered questions about their careers so far.

Robinson started playing AFL as a 9 year old and was a member of the Mosman Swans first premiership winning team. Last Thursday (Feb 27) he played his first senior game for the Sydney Swans against the West Coast Eagles.

Laidler inspired everyone with his story of being a ‘late developer’ and his struggle with setbacks and serious injury to have now played 26 senior games. The kids were impressed with his tale of perseverance and discipline.

The Mosman Swans will field 16 teams this season, ranging from Under 9s to Under 18s and including two girls teams in the Under 14s and Under 18s. The club also runs one of the largest Auskick programs in NSW for younger players. Both Auskick, held every Sunday at Allan Border Oval, and age group competitions begin on April 6.

Club President Justin Dethridge said the strong turnout for the season launch reflected AFL’s expanding popularity across Sydney. “Over the past decade, the Mosman Swans club has become one of the largest and most successful junior AFL clubs in NSW, winning 13 premierships,” he said.

“This year we’ll have 400+ playing members and a veritable army of parent volunteers who are dedicated to further growing the club and achieving even more on-ground success. Most importantly though, we just want the kids to have fun running around with their mates, learning some skills and trying to emulate their senior AFL heroes.”

Dethridge thanked Robinson and Laidler for taking time from their busy schedules to spend time at a community footy club and said he hoped they would return through the year.