Youth Girls Carnival

Coolbinia Reserve was again packed with footballers last Saturday 14^th August but things looked a little different from the usual. This time girls from all across the state pulled on the boots to take part in the annual WAFL Youth Girls Carnival. In what has been an excellent opportunity in providing a football pathway to females in the community, girls from all across the East Perth Metropolitan District came together to represent the Royals against the nine other WAFL clubs. Also participating were teams from the country with the Great Southern and South West regions both represented on the day.

Those to represent East Perth were:

Back Row: Emily Wilson, Aimee Campbell, Chantez Macdonald, Steph Patino, Justin Fris (Super Coach), Maddy Barclay, Larissa Cassidy, Cassie Thornley, Brendan McFaull (Team Manager) Janada Dunn, Kaitlin Kelly, Georgia Cook

Front Row: Taylah Conway, Susan Chuot, Amy Jackson, Tahlia Sue, Madilyn Sadler, Kiera Kelly

A big thanks must go to all our participants as they gave their all and showed substantial potential throughout these games. Special Mentions must go to Aimee Campbell for showing Coach Fris how to shirt front at training and her hard work throughout the carnival and Susan Chuot for her tenacity in rucking all day and polished displays across all the games. Well done girls!

Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club 17s player Daniel McSweeney notched up his 200^th game for the club on Sunday August 1^st. Daniel is the club game record holder and this amazing accomplishment is thanks to an early start with Modifieds, and many weekends where he would play in his own age group, followed by the age group above. Parents Rachel and Kevin have obviously been great support! Daniel has evolved from someone who loved to take saving marks on the last line of defence, to an agile, strong marking impact player all around the ground. He now plays mostly forward, where his team-oriented approach sets up numerous scoring opportunities. Popular amongst team-mates and coaches alike, and always willing to give a helping hand, Daniel epitomizes what club footy is all about. Congratulations Macca!

East Perth welcomed the Morley Bulldogs 12s into their home recently as the junior football side were invited to Medibank Stadium to participate in a tour and training session. As the district endeavours to make the East Perth Football Club more accessible to our district clubs, Morley Junior Football Club were invited to send down a team to train on the WAFL ground before making their way into the stands to watch the senior squad train and prepare for the weekends fixture. The young Bulldogs were also given a thorough tour of the clubrooms and facilities where hopefully they will find themselves in years to come. To top it off an excellent dinner was provided by the East Perth Past Players group to the grateful boys as they watched the league train.

Beatty Park exploded with life early on the 5^th of July as the East Perth District July Holiday Clinic geared up for another year. The sun was out and shining as more than 160 children between the ages of 5 & 12 turned out to show their skills and have some fun.

East Perth Football Club players assisted with the day taking groups for games and sharing their skills and experience with the lucky participants; many of whom we predict to see in a royals jumper in the very near future.

Plenty of fresh fruit and muffins were available throughout the day to give the kids a healthy snack and keep up their energy levels up between the drills and skills.

The West Coast Eagles also made a visit with 5 players attending from the club. Adam Selwood, Ben McKinley, Luke Shuey, Jarrad Oakley-Nichols and Koby Stevens arrived at the clinic and were a huge hit as they answered questions, sign some autographs and show the skills that got them to the highest level.

East Perth District Development Officer Brendan McFaull said the day was a great success and would only get bigger in the future. As part of the clinic kids had the opportunity to purchase a replica royals jumper and it was fantastic to see so many running around on the day.