Gippsland Power’s under 15 and 16 development teams recently participated in their intra-state championship programs. Youngsters from across Gippsland were pitted against the best young players from each of the country based TAC Cup clubs.
In the build-up to the championships the selected players faced a fitness program set by the Power’s Les Ponton which mirrored the under 18 program. With parts of the fitness program requiring the boys to train on their own they were introduced to the discipline and commitment required to play elite level football. Skills work was completed in regional centres with team mates, with the final squads training at the Power Centre of Excellence in Morwell as the championships drew closer.
The under 15 boys participated in the old “schoolboys” championships in Melbourne. Darren Thain coached the division one side made up of primarily top age players and Scott McDougall coached the division two side that included six talented bottom aged players.
Both coaches were assisted by Brian Graham and Scott Armour with Talent Manager Peter Francis, Power head coach Nick Stevens and Development Manager Rob Reid also assisting the boys rise to the challenges of elite competition.
Both under 15 sides lost their initial games of the 2013 championships but, to their great credit regrouped to win the last two games with disciplined and hard team oriented football.
The under 15 program is a key driver for Power’s highly competitive and successful TAC Cup team. By the time these youngsters reach the under 18 competition they are well versed in the Power program requirements and brand of football.
In recent years the TAC Cup squads have been made up largely of boys who have been in the program since under 15’s. Former star Power and now AFL players Dyson Heppell, Clay Smith, Nick Graham, Will Hams and Tim Membrey are all products of the full Power program.
The under 16’s played two practice matches against other TAC Cup clubs and were impressive in these hit outs. Coach Rob Reid used these matches to select his final squad for the championships, not an easy task given the amount of talent at his disposal.
The under 16 boys won their first match against Dandenong which was played in Morwell as a curtain raiser to round one of the TAC Cup. The squad then headed to Bendigo and won a further two matches, including a big win over the Geelong Falcons.
All of their games were highlighted by the boy’s ability to apply intense pressure all over the ground and play outstanding team football. The quality of this group was recognised with 11 of the boys selected for the initial state squad in preparation for the national championships in late June and early July.
Connor Ambler, Brendan Brew, Ben Dessent, Josh Dunkley, Darnell Grech, Nash Holmes, Alex Lawson, Tate Marsh, Josh Patullo, Sam Skinner and Jake Smith are currently in the under 16 Vic Country state squad and have really impressed with their performances for the Power during their program this season. These boys will be invited to continue to train with the Power TAC Cup team in the lead up to the national championships.
The successful junior program has been the result of a huge amount of work by Power staff and a multitude of voluntary helpers. Thanks to Talent Manager Peter Francis’ amazing vision and the ongoing support of these people, the boys have the best possible chance to compete in the preeminent junior football competitions in the nation.
Last Modified on 19/08/2013 11:05