FORMER Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell spoke with Williamstown Juniors players and parents on Wednesday night.
Willy Juniors held a special Top Age Thank You event for it’s Under-17 players as well as one of their young guns Hannah McMahon.
The aim of the event was to not only thank the players for their contribution to the club, but to offer some support and guidance to those who will transition into senior football and the resilience needed to take the next step in their footy careers.
Club president Michael Furlong said it was an inspirational night that will now become an annual tradition for the club.
“It was a fantastic night,” he said.
“The players also spoke about their experiences at Williamstown, some of them had been playing at the club since Under-9’s, so it was great to hear from them.”
Furlong said it was important to recognise the achievements of not only the players but the parents. He said the club was not just losing these top age players, but the parents who are also play a vital role throughout the club.
Furlong said it was also great to have Nick Maxwell in attendance. Maxwell presented to the group, sharing insights into his footy career and the leadership work he has done since retiring.
“Nick showed some vision of when he injured his ankle and then how he had to ice it every hour,” he said.
“Our players didn’t realise the amount of work you have to do to be right to play each week.
“He spoke about being captain and how he would never ask anyone to do anything he wasn’t prepared to do himself.”
Furlong said Maxwell also spoke about the relationships he had made when playing with St Joseph’s and how he is still good friends with many of those team mates.
“The friends he (Maxwell) made kept him grounded, when he is around those friends, he is just Nick and that’s what keeps him balanced, I thought that was really important for the kids to hear.
“I’d love to think these players enjoyed their journey at Williamstown Juniors and that someday they would remember this period.
“We want to wish those players the best in whatever they choose to do next.”
Last Modified on 01/09/2017 16:23