St Gabriel’s Primary School in Traralgon was abuzz with excitement last week when players from the Richmond Football Club came to town.
Captain Trent Cotchin, Dylan Grimes and Josh Caddy were among a host of stars who visited to put on special super clinics for students.
AFL Gippsland brought the Tiger troop to town and set up a number of inflatable activities to put the budding footballers through their paces with handball, kicking and marking drills.
Skipper Cotchin said he was blown away by the reception of the pupils at St Gabriel’s.
“I think you notice with country kids that they’re always pretty polite and respectful and they don’t get as many opportunities as the city kids, so they never take it for granted,” Cotchin said.
Students were also given the opportunity to fire questions at their footballing idols and many had their favourite Tigers’ memorabilia signed.
Droves of children donned the yellow and black for the special occasion and the weight of sheer admiration was not lost on the Richmond players.
“I think the most humbling thing about being an AFL player is just how much kids admire you,” Cotchin said.
“Whether it be for the footy you’re playing on the weekend or just the fact that it’s their dream to one day play footy, whether they’re a boy or a girl.
“That’s the most exciting thing about our sport … it’s inclusive of all and I think, even from a supporter point of view, there’s actually more women that support footy than there is men.
“To get out here and see them at their youngest development stage is always great and it’s pretty humbling to see the support we receive.”
Defender Dylan Grimes was another fan favourite with the budding youngsters and said the super clinics were a great tool for delivering Australian football to the masses.
“The kids are having a lot of fun and that’s the main thing,” Grimes said.
“Team sport provides an amazing amount of opportunities, whether it’s football or netball or any other sport.
“It’s about putting some smiles on some faces and it’s been really special to see … you don’t realise how far the yellow and black reach and coming all the way out here.
“It’s been really humbling to see so many young kids already at this age completely gripped by Richmond, so it’s really special.
“[I’m] very grateful to come out to Traralgon today and deliver this awesome program because it’s about getting more kids healthy and active and that’s the main thing.”
