THE HISTORY
In 2001 a coterie was formed by some interested members and ex players with a view to forming a foundation whereby a support group could be set up to assist the transition of junior players into the senior ranks of Upper Gully. This group was originally named “The Royals Club” and their agenda was to offer financial, attendance and moral support, mentoring, guest speakers and skill specialists etc. to keep our great club going.
Our target group was the Under 15’s and 16’s of the Upper Gully Juniors in conjunction with the Colts (under 18’s) of the Senior Club. Each year an Under 16 player was named “The Royals Rising Star.”
Terry Hopkins played in the Under 17’s and 18’s and was awarded Most Determined for U/17 in 1979 and Best Utility for U/18’s in 1980. He also won Reserves Best Utility in 1982. He was assistant Reserves coach in 1995 and in recent years worked with his cousin Tommy on the fitness program and pre season training.
Terry also served on the Social Committee from 1988 through to mid 1990’s and General Committee 2000-2002; running the $5000 Draw.
In 2005 Terry was awarded Life Membership. It was also the year his courageous battle with cancer ended.
In recognition of this inspirational battle and his profound love for our club, it was agreed upon to rename The Royals Club:
“TERRY HOPKINS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION”
Terry was passionate about his club and believed totally in promoting the young players coming through as the future of our great club. The Rising Star Award was also renamed to “The Terry Hopkins Rising Star” and part of the criteria for this award will be a demonstration of courage, loyalty, friendship and honesty: so much the measure of the mate we knew as “Tez.”
R.I.P TEZ: YOUR SPIRIT LIVES ON
Over the past 7 years, the Terry Hopkins Foundation has continued to evolve from what began as a passionate attempt to set up a formal organisation to assist the senior club in promoting and developing players for the future.
Neville Roberts was the prime instigator of this initiative and through consultation with the senior club, his idea was taken to the junior club and the birth of the then “Royals Club” took place.
It was agreed that an U/16 player would be selected at the end of the season as “The Royals Rising Star”. A unique criterion was set for the selection of this award with the intention being to select a player most likely to play senior football at Upper Gully.
Because of the nature of football and the combination of two sections of the club, (senior and junior), the selection has been made by a different set of people each year. And each year new or different interpretations of the criteria have arisen. Combine this with the fact that, as part of the criteria, selection needed to be based on a player who would definitely move onto senior football at Upper Gully, selectors all but needed a crystal ball to have any hope of getting it 100% right!
Also, in fairness to the contenders, most of the boys were totally unaware of the existence of the award, let alone the criteria and selection process. Hence, at the END of their season, 4 boys would be nominated, interviewed and a month later, one named as the Rising Star. Over and done!
We felt this extremely unfair and subjective in that the boys were not given suitable time to embrace their nomination, and they were expected to pledge their allegiance to play at the senior club the following year. At 16 years of age they also had to consider work and study commitments. And as we know, most 16 year old boys don’t know what they’re doing tomorrow, let alone next year!
After much discussion and consultation, the Foundation has ratified a new selection process which, whilst still remaining true to the original criteria, removes the “grey” areas and, more importantly, gives every U/16 player control of his own destiny and the opportunity to prove himself to be the Rising Star as opposed to being “picked” as the Rising Star.
The selection will now take place over 2 years, being the last year of junior football (U16) and the first year at the senior club (U/18).
Now with the changes to the EFL creating U17's (Junior Club) and U19's (Senior Club) this has been continued.
The Sub Committee for THF whose task is to draw up a Junior Development Program to further advance and improve the guidelines for both the Terry Hopkins Rising Star Award.
Overseeing all of this and acting as our mentor will be our Patron, Neville Roberts, who had the vision and foresight to propose and bring this initiative to fruition.
The Terry Hopkins Foundation has used your contributions for a number of causes:
· Joining funding the Junior Club with the Modern Game Coaching
· Underwriting Rego fees and some apparel for THF Hopkins Rising Star for that year.
· 2007 we purchased a set of warm up jackets at a cost of $1500 for the Colts to use on game day, complete with Terry Hopkins Foundation logo
IIn 2008 and 2009 the foundation has been able to subsidise the entire cost of the Colts fees for each player, a figure in the vicinity of $5000.
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Framework for Terry Hopkins Foundation player assessment
All players will be observed throughout their Under 17 year.
At the conclusion of the season every player will be assessed by a committee that includes the Under 17 Coach and 3 other persons who have had an active involvement in the Under 17 team.
- Every player will be scored between 1 and 100 for each of the 4 criteria below.
- At the end of their first Under 19 season, every player will again be scored in the same manner.
- Votes awarded for the Under 17 year will contribute 40% to the 2 year aggregate score and the Under 19 year the remaining 60%.
- Of the 4 assessment criteria below the ‘A Good Club Citizen’ and ‘On Game Day’ elements will be scored between 1 and 100. However the ‘In Preparation’ and ‘The Future’ will have a maximum of 50 points.
The players will be assessed under the following criteria:
A Good Club Citizen: The player should conduct themselves in a manner that displays courtesy, honesty and friendliness to all other members of the club community. We want our players to contribute to the constant improvement of our club so that we can provide a sociable and friendly atmosphere for all players and families in the future. Players should be involved in club functions and occasions, not only as attendees but as enthusiastic contributors to the events. Our clubs reputation should never be spoiled by a player’s behaviour in the wider community.
- On Game Day: The player should display courage, skill, leadership and put the interests of the team before their own. The player should conduct themselves in a manner that brings pride to the Upper Gully jumper. The player should be respectful of the opposition and should not be involved in vilification of any sort. The player will also be respectful of umpires and all officials of the game and will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct.
- In Preparation: The player should attend the required training sessions and participate to a level that will positively develop their fitness and football ability. Players need to strive for improvement in their individual skills and the overall teamwork. Players will be recognised for the manner in which they assist their team mates and how they contribute to the cohesion of the team.
- The Future: The Upper Gully Football club wants to recognise players that are going to be long-term contributors to the senior club. They will be active contributors on and off the field to the benefit of the club and themselves. They are committed to playing football in the Upper Gully senior ranks whilst playing in the EFL competition.
The Player/s that has been awarded the highest aggregate number of votes will be interviewed by a selection panel and the winner announced on Senior Presentation Night. The 4 highest place getters will be invited to attend Senior Presentation Night and the winner duly announced as the Terry Hopkins Foundation Rising Star.
PAST AWARD WINNERS:
ROYALS RISING STAR AWARD
2001 Joel Beilken
2002 Sholto May
2003 Ryan Beilken
2004 Chris Hosek & Ben Magnay
TERRY HOPKINS RISING STAR AWARD
2005 Ben Heuston
2006 Anthony Lorusso
2008 Tim Smith & Chris Michelaides
2009 Craig Bridle
2010 Tyler Willis
2011 Bryce Hards
2013 Nick Heuston
2014 Luke Leslie
2015 Tom Meagher
2016 Joshua Begley
2017
2018 Rory Bailey
2019 Ben Renyolds
Terry Hopkins Foundation
In 2005 the club lost dear friend and devotee Terry Hopkins following a long battle with cancer. In recognition of his courage and passion for our club, which was an inspiration to all, the former “Royals Club” was renamed.
The charter of the THF is simple; it is devoted to raising funds to help ensure the future of the club through the support and development of our young players.
All proceeds from membership and other THF fundraising initiatives are used to benefit our younger players. Over the last 12 years the THF has sponsored the club’s under 19 “Rising Star” award, provided warm-up jackets for the club’s under19s, funded information/education evenings for the club’s juniors, provided Sherrin footballs for awards to under 17 players and provided funding and support for the development of our junior players through coach education provided by “The Modern Game”.
In the past 12 months alone the THF has continued to contribute funds to retain the services of “The Modern Game”, provided funding for the under 19/under 17 Boot Camp, provided two sets of warm-up jackets for the under 17’s and run an information night and BBQ for junior players and parents.
Thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you soon.