By Caitlin Arnold
Branded as the ‘Great Mystery Tour’ by the club’s inner sanctum, the start of the 2014 season was seen as a great leap into the unknown for the Camden Cats.
Welcoming a range of new players to the club - and to the game of AFL itself - Camden were unsure as to how their two senior teams would compare against their strong and experienced competition.
Adding to the mixture two pairs of fresh eyes via new head coaches James Dixon and Glenn Keys, the club could have been forgiven for approaching this season tentatively. Instead, they began with excitement, and now their teams are flying.
Based in one of Sydney’s fastest growing areas, this year the ‘Cattery’ saw an influx of new players, supporters and sponsors.
"Our Summer months were interesting, as many new faces appeared at training," says club publicist James McGlynn.
"With population growth comes business, many of whom are looking to build relationships in the community, so our sponsorship base is better than ever."
McGlynn is also quick to note the female and family presence at the Cats, acknowledging that it is a large part of why the club is currently riding a wave of success.
"The Camden area and its surrounding suburbs are family suburbs, so we aim to reflect that in everything we do. It also bodes well for junior football in the region.
"We are a family club and we hold frequent family days where kids can get their faces painted or jump on a jumping castle.
"The mums and WAGs at the Cats are highly valued, and hugely influential on our success."
As the Camden Cats name expands within the local community, so to on the field as this year they have been able to field an Under 19s side via the MacArthur Giants, also proving the strength of their future stars.
"We have widened our team list to Under 19s and have ambitions to build further when the time is right.
"We have grown deeper roots with the community, and that will continue to expand in terms of charitable works. We have had a consistent finals presence now for a few years, and aim to continue that."
With big names such as Josiah Ayling (Sanders Medal and multiple club Best and Fairest winner) and Ben Laid (2013 Apted Medal winner) sitting within the Camden ranks, the club is thrilled to have such well-respected players setting an example for their young up-and-comers.
"Josiah is having a great year, kicking goals and being the source of many attacking raids into the forward line.
"His run and high marking ability make him a formidable player, and he remains one of the key anchors of the club.
"Ben Laid is captaining our Division Five side this year, and once again is being employed at both ends of the ground.
"He is a great backman, but has bloomed in recent years to become a fantastic full forward who enjoys kicking goals."
With their former coaches stepping back after leading the club through many successful seasons, and as a part of the new chapter at Camden, the Cats brought in James Dixon and Glenn Keys to coach their two senior sides.
McGlynn labels Dixon and Keys as instant successes as each of the Camden teams continue to climb their respective ladders.
"They are not screamers, but lead by example and work cohesively around a well thought out game plan.
"We seem to be kicking more goals this season than ever before, so the tonic has worked."
Set a task of building new AFL players from the ground up, the Cats have made it their focus to work on their fundamental football skills and knowledge this year. With each of their sides in the top half of the Division Two and Five ladders, it is clear that they are doing this well, and enjoy doing so.
"It’s not just about building the Camden brand, it’s about supporting the growth of footy too - in a region where plenty of other codes are competing.
"With the population set to grow exponentially over the next decade, it is impossible to predict where we will be at the end of that time, but we have big ambitions."
Last Modified on 04/06/2014 08:14
