Saturday Morning Footy Registration

2008 Junior Eagles Season

Welcome to the 2008 Junior Eagles Season. This year, DC Footy Kids will be working closely with the Arlington Parks and Rec. The calendar includes participating in the Arlington Sports Festival, having FREE clinics as part of BW Eagles Senior games and Saturday Morning Footy at Bluemont Park in July.

The clinics and games are designed to introduce boys and girls between 5 and 12 to the great game of Australian football. The games and clinics are fun and safe with no contact rules.

If you or your child is interested in participating please email christopher_p_adams@hotmail.com.

DC Footy Kids is also planning on visiting some schools in the Spring. If you are PE Teacher and would like us to come out to your school email christopher_p_adams@hotmail.com

Full-Forward Award

KICK-PASS-CATCH: Footy as Easy as 1-2-3

A FULL-FORWARD has mastery over advanced skills used in Australian football.

1. KICK (Punt)

a. Kick and hit a 1 x 1 meter (3 x 3 foot) target from 20 meters with both feet.

b. Starting from a 45 degree angle and 40 meters (120 feet) run at full pace receive a hand pass from a coach standing 35 meters (105 feet) and kick a goal.

2. PASS (Hand pass or punch)

a. Hand pass and hit a 1 x 1 meter (3 x 3 foot) target from 10 meters with both hands.

b. Starting from a 45 degree angle and 40 meters (120 feet) run at full pace and evade a defender by hand passing a give and go to one of the two coaches stationed 30 meters from goal and either side of the direct line to goal.

3. CATCH (Mark)

a. At full pace lead to a coach standing 50 meters (150 feet) away, mark the ball and hand pass to a coach running passed in the opposite direction.

b. Mark against a coach (defender) with a coach kicking from 40 meters (120 feet).

Half-Forward Award

KICK-PASS-CATCH: Footy as easy as 1-2-3

A HALF-FORWARD is capable performing advanced skills used in Australian football.

1. KICK (Punt)

a. Kick and hit a 1x1 meter (3x3 foot) target from 10 meters (30 feet) with preferred foot.

b. Kick to a stationary coach from 20 meters (60) feet with non-preferred foot.

2. PASS (Hand pass or punch)

a. Hand pass and hit 1 x 1 foot target from 5 meters (15 feet) with both hands.

b. Starting 30 meters (90 feet) from goal, at full run hand pass to a coach on the left 25 meters (75 feet) from goal, receive the ball back, hand pass to a coach on the right 20 meters (60 feet) from goal and kick a goal.

3. CATCH (Mark)

a. At full-pace lead toward the coach and mark the kick from 30 meters (90 feet).

b. Leap onto a dummy and catch a kick from a coach from 10 meters (30 feet).

Center Award

KICK-PASS-CATCH: Footy as easy as 1-2-3

A CENTER shows mastery in the essential skills and can perform advanced skills of Australian football

1. KICK (Punt)

a. Can correctly kick a drop punt to a stationary coach 20 meters (60 feet) away.

b. Kick the ball 10 meters (30 feet) with their non-preferred foot.

2. PASS (hand pass or punch)

a. Can correctly hand ball to a stationary coach 2 meters (6 feet) away with both hands.

b. Can hand ball to a coach 10 meters (30 feet) away.

3. CATCH (Mark)

a. Can lead to and catch a kick from a coach standing 30 meters (90 feet) away.

b. Can leap onto a dummy and catch a toss from a coach standing 2 meters (6 feet) away.

Flanker Award

KICK-PASS-CATCH: Footy as Easy as 1-2-3

A FLANKER is capable at performing the essentials skills of Australian football.

1. KICK (Punt)

a. Demonstrate correct drop punt technique (hold ball straight up and down, one handed release on to a pointed toe).

b. Punt the ball to a coach standing 10 meters (30 feet) away.

2. PASS (Hand pass or punch)

a. Demonstrate correct technique (ball lying flat on palm around waist high pointing at target, non-preferred foot forward and pointing at target, punch with a closed fist on the end of the ball).

b. Hand ball to a coach standing 2 meters (6 feet) away with left and right hand.

3. CATCH (Mark)

a. Demonstrate correct technique for leap and over head mark (hop off one foot, use other leg for protection, hands forward and above the head).

b. Mark a kick from the coach standing 10 meters (30 feet) away.

Rover Award

KICK-PASS-CATCH: Footy as easy as 1-2-3

A ROVER can perform the essential skills of Australian football:

1. KICK (Punt)

a. Demonstrate how to hold the ball correctly (straight up and down with ring finger down the seem and hand slightly below the center of the ball)

b. Kick the ball 10 meters (30 feet)

2. PASS (hand pass or punch)

a. Demonstrate how to hold the ball correctly (lay flat on the palm ready to be punched with a closed fist)

b. Hand pass the ball 1 meter (3 feet)

3. CATCH (Mark)

a. Demonstrate how to catch a ball over head (hands up in front of the face with thumbs forming a W)

b. Catch a ball on the chest from a coach throwing the ball 2 meters (6 feet)

Junior Nationals

USFooty National Championship tournament will be held at the Louisville City Soccer Park on October 13 and 14. There will be two FREE juniors clinics and a game for juniors during the weekend.

Clinic 1: Saturday 2pm (Between Field III and IV)
Clinic 2: Sunday 11am (Field III)
Game: Sunday 3.30pm (Field I)

Please email christopher_p_adams at hotmail.com if you are interested in participating.

Jnr Grand Final Party

We will be having a Jnr Grand Final Party to watch a delayed telecast of the AFL Grand Final on Saturday September 29 starting at 5pm. There will be food, drinks and activities for the kids.

U17 Canada vs USA

A couple of weeks ago at the BC Footy international weekend in Vancouver the Canadian men had their first ever win over the powerful United States team, winning the 49th Parallel Cup, before going down the next day in the keenly contested exhibition match. On the other hand the Canadian women struggled against their more experienced American counterparts, losing both matches by big margins, but the youthfulness of their squad promised better things to come. Now to the juniors and it was very positive to have the next generation of stars on display. The under 17s matches saw a large squad of young men from Canada - the Wolfpack - take on a smaller travelling party from the US.

... more at World Footy News.

Pics of U17 International

Go here for pics of the U17 International between US and Canada.

Juniors at USFooty Nationals

We are planning on conducting two clinics and some games during the USFooty National Tournament in Louisville KY on October 13/14. For more information click here.

Junior Eagles hold sway over Junior Blues at Bluemont

The Jnr DC Eagles 6.3 (39) defeated the Jnr DC Blues 1.1 (7) in a game that was tighter than the final score indicated. The game played after a USFooty Kids clinic in Bluemont Park in Arlington VA just outside of Washington DC. During the clinic the players went through their hand passing, kicking and marking/catching skills, and then used their skills in a game of "keep things off" or "keep away". They also practiced "buttering up" after a spilled ball (no - I don't really know what it means either). The game started as the heat of the day started to burn off the dew on the grass.

The Eagles flew out of the gates quickly with a number of goals by Cullen who seemed to easily weave through the Blues defense. In only a few minutes the Blues were trying to regroup and work out a line of attack. For the Blues, Joe and Natalie were attacking the ball, as were Robbie and Patrick for the Eagles. The Blues defense settled as Allison was able to bring the ball out to Matt and Joe on the wings. However, Cullen and Luka were also strong in defense so that almost every forward movement was thwarted. Still, despite a stronger defense, the Eagles were able to keep their score going up with CJ contributing with a number of marks and one picture perfect pick up at full stretch. Finally, the Blues were able to get some attacks going with some big kicks by Matt and great play be Allison and Joe. The game ended with lovely goal by Joe on siren.

Next game is in conjunction with the USFooty Kids clinic at Bluemont Park in Arlington on Saturday July 14 at 9am.

USFooty Kids Clinic Saturday July 14

Where: Bluemont Park Soccer Field (601 N Manchester St, Arlington, VA 22203, USA).
When: 9.00 am to 10.30 am Saturday July 14.
What: A junior clinic for boys and girls aged 5 to 16.

The clinic will teach players the rules and skills of Australian football. The clinic will incorporate fun games and include a little no-contact match at the end. Snacks and drinks will be provided. The boys and girls are asked to bring a bottle of water, cleats or running shoes and either a yellow or blue T-shirt.

If you would like to register on-line click the link on the right.

Note that the Soccer Field is on the other side of the creek and bike path - in the trees.

Saturday Morning Footy

9 to 10.30am from June 30 to July 28

Bluemont Park #1 (601 N Manchester St, Arlington, VA 22203, USA)

To register for Saturday Morning Footy click link on right hand side.

• The cost $20 (or $40 with a jersey). Scholarships are available.
• No equipment is necessary.
• It is recommended that players bring a water bottle, sun screen, and a football (footy, soccer ball, or American football).
• For boys and girls aged 5 to 16.

The first three Saturday mornings will be "clinics" with fun games to teach skills.

Each session will end with a game.

The last two Saturday mornings will be scheduled matches (although the emphasis will be on learning, fun and participation).

Snacks and drinks will be provided and participants will receive a free footy and junior membership of the Baltimore Washington Eagles (valued at $20). For more information please email christopher_p_adams@hotmail.com or call 703-217-3625.

What is USFooty Kids?

USFooty Kids is the US version of the very popular junior Australian football program called AFL Auskick (www.aflauskick.com.au).

Auskick is a hugely successful junior sporting program that emphasizes fun and participation in order to develop a life-long love of sport and Australian football in particular.

• As with Auskick there is no contact in USFooty Kids.
• In 2006 Auskick had almost 150,000 participants in 2,500 centers across Australia.
• USFooty is the governing body of Australian football in the US. In 2007 USFooty celebrates its 10th anniversary. Australian football celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2008.
• The game dates to the 1850s in booming Melbourne, Australia. At the time "football" had no consistent set of rules with players used rules from various English elite private schools (Eton, Rugby) and their home towns. In Melbourne, players came from a wide variety of backgrounds and preferences for various rules. The result was a consensus code that incorporates rules that are now used in soccer, rugby, American football and Gaelic football. Some believe that the game was also influenced by the local indigenous game of Mangrok.
• Today, Australian football dominates Australia's sporting culture - particularly in its home town of Melbourne.

USFooty Kids teaches a number of important sporting skills including punting and catching. Recently, the coach of the Welsh rugby team complained that Australia's rugby team (the Wallabies) had an advantage because of exposure to punting in Australian football from a young age.

In American football, a number Australians have made their mark on the NFL as punters.

• Darren Bennett and Mat McBriar were All-Star punters for the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.
• Ben Graham is captain on the New York Jets and Sav Rocca is currently competing for the punting position at the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, the skill that USFooty Kids really emphasizes is team work. Game rules require that players pass the ball either by hand or by foot. It is amazing to watch kids who never pass the ball suddenly looking for team mates, running to position and call each other's names!

Saturday Morning Footy is in its second year after three very successful clinics in 2006.

The clinics will be run by:

• Chris Adams, an ASA coach for U7 Coed Hurts Hammers and former assistant coach for the Baltimore Washington Eagles.
  
• Denis Ryan, the National Coordinator for USFooty Kids and former Head Coach of the Baltimore Washington Eagles and the US national team the US Revolution.
  
• Rob Brunton, the President of the Baltimore Washington Eagles and former member of the Canadian Northwind.
  
• Matt Bishop, the current Head Coach of the Baltimore Washington Eagles.

Free Clinics and Saturday Morning Footy

1. Two FREE clinics
June 9: 1.30pm Field behind the Capitol Polo Club, on Hughes Rd Poolesville MD.
June 23: Time and Place TBA

Drinks and snacks provided. The clinics will run about 1 hour and will include fun games to teach skills followed by a short game. No equipment is necessary. Please bring a water bottle and either a yellow or blue T-shirt. We suggest a hat and suncream.

To register please email name, age and gender of the participant(s) to christopher_p_adams@hotmail.com. Pre-registration is not necessary but helps with planning.


2. Saturday Morning Footy
June 30 to July 28
9.00am - 10.30am at TJs Upper (to be confirmed by Arlington)

Drinks and snacks provided. The first three weeks will be clinics and the last two weeks will be matches. The clinics and matches will be no contact and no equipment is necessary. Please bring a water bottle and a football (footy, soccer ball or American football).

To register click here. The cost is $20 for which participants will get a footy and junior membership of the Baltimore Washington Eagles. For additional $20 the player may sign up and get a jersey. EVERY ONE PLAYS! If you need assistance please email christopher_p_adams@hotmail.com or call me at 703-217-3625. USFooty will provide free brand new jerseys to those who need them.

FREE USFooty Kids Clinics

The Baltimore Washington Eagles are hosting two FREE USFooty Kids clinics and Saturday Morning Footy registration is open.

June 9: 2.30-3.30pm Polo Ground (Ohio Drive Washington DC)
This clinic will be conducted between the USFooty double header. 8th ranked BW Eagles host 10th ranked NC Tigers at 12.30 and NC Tigers take on the Philly Hawks at 3.30pm.

June 23: Time and Place TBA
This clinic will be conducted during the first half of the USFooty game between 8th ranked BW Eagles and 5th ranked Boston Demons.

June 30: Saturday Morning Footy begins - register by clicking on first link to the right.

Snacks and drinks provided. No experience necessary. Clinics open for all kids aged 5 to 16. The games will be no contact and no protective gear is necessary. Clinics are designed for all levels to have fun and participate in a great sport.

Participants are asked to wear either a yellow or a blue T-shirt and bring a water bottle. Appropriate running shoes are required. We also recommend sun cream and a hat for when they are watching the big boys.

Please email christopher_p_adams@hotmail.com to register as it will help with planning.

Jersey's For Purchase

Email me at christopher_p_adams@hotmail to purchase a jumper/jersey. They come in three styles and three sizes: Eagles, Blues or Bombers in YS, YM or YL. There is some choice regarding numbers. Cost is $30. Note that if you sign up for the clinics/games then a jersey is included for just ten dollars more ($40).

Free Clinics and Little League Games

On June 9 and June 23 the Baltimore Washington Eagles will be conducting Free USFooty Kids clinics with "little league" games to be played at the half-time of the senior games.

On June 9, the Baltimore Washington Eagles (8) host the North Carolina Tigers (9). The free clinic will be conducted during the first half of the senior game with the kids game at half-time of the senior game. This is a double header weekend with North Carolina Tigers (9) taking on the Philadelphia Hawks for Eastern Australian Football League Points.

On June 23 the Eagles host the Boston Demons (6). Again there will be a free clinic during the first half with a kids game at half-time of the senior game.

To register for the free clinic email christopher_p_adams@hotmail.com.

USFooty Kids Roll Easter Eggs at the White House

(Washington DC) On Easter Monday, participants in the Washington DC USFooty Kids/Auskick program and their families spent the morning the the South Lawn at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.  The theme of this year's Easter Egg Roll was childhood obesity, physical activity and fitness (which my wife thought was very funny given the amount of chocolate on hand for the kids).  Melissa Johnson, Executive Director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, was gracious enough to give USFooty Kids 25 tickets for the event.  Denis Ryan, USFooty Kids National Director, passed the tickets onto the local chapter.


USFooty Kids parents were very excited to get the opportunity to participate in the event as it is extremely difficult to get the few publicly available tickets.  Families are known to camp out over night to get tickets for the event. Despite a very cold Spring morning, everyone was very excited about the opportunity to get up close and personal with the White House.


Sporting footy jumpers, USFooty Kids T-shirts and Auskick Baseball caps in lieu of spring dresses and pink sweater vests, the families had a great time rolling, finding and painting Easter Eggs, watching magic shows and keeping an eye out for our host, Mrs Bush.  For those not aware, an Easter Egg roll involves a wooden spoon, a colored egg, a grassy hill and some marked running lanes. The kids push the egg down the hill to try to be first, although everyone is a winner!  Some of the USFooty Kids were pretty excited and may have been penalized for "throwing" rather than "pushing" the egg down the hill. Other USFooty Kids were lucky enough to be read to by Mrs Bush and Mrs Cheney.  For fans of "West Wing" it was cool to walk past the actual West Wing of the White House and imagine President Bartlett out there chatting with his closest advisors.