2009 Report on Saturday Morning Footy

To view the report (pdf) click: DC's Saturday Morning Footy: A report on the Baltimore Washington Eagles junior football program.

Video: Daniel Motlop goal kicking

Saturday Morning Footy 2009 wraps up!

Saturday Morning Footy July 25

When: 9am to 10.30am Saturday July 25
Where: Bluemont Park (601 N Manchester St Arlington VA 22203). South end.
What: Fun and safe activities and games to introduce the skills and rules of footy/Australian football to boys and girls 5 to 15.
How much: FREE!
To Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle. Cleats are suggested.

Eagles take first game from Blues

On July 11, we had our first game of the three game U12 series between the Eagles and the Blues. It was an absolutely perfect day for footy with temperatures in the mid 70s and sunshine at kickoff.

The first half was pretty even, with the Blues actually having more shots at goal but they weren't able to convert. Braeden was a rock in defense putting the Eagle forward under pressure when they got near the ball. Tricia was also excellent for the Blues in the ruck.

Nathan was doing an excellent job but only had 2 points to show for his great efforts. Isaac was the sole goal kicker for the Blues. The Eagles had more success on the score board with Brendan scoring two goals for the Eagles. The half ended Blues 1.3 (9) trailing the Eagles 2.2 (14).

In the second half, things started to go the Eagles way. CJ was able to get the ball and there was great team work between Brendan and CJ. Ben was also working hard and had a great pass to CJ and then a great mark in front of goal from which he was able to convert. Philip also, had a great game was able to get on the score board.

For the Blues, it was tough although they were still working hard. David was able to get the Blues only goal for the half. At the end, though things went to Eagles 5.5 (35) to the Blues 2.4 (16).

Great umpiring by Joe Lily.

The U8s also had a great time showing some excellent skills.

Coach Chris goes to pick up the ball while playing for the Essendon Bombers against the Collingwood Magpies in front of about 30,000 at half-time at Windy Hill. This was part of the "Vic Kick" junior footy program run at Ringwood East Primary School by Dennis Hogg.

Saturday Morning Footy July 18

When: 9am - 10.30am Saturday July 18
Where: Bluemont Park (601 N Manchester St Arlington VA 22203) - south end.
How much: FREE!
What to bring: water bottle, cleates are recommended, also hat and sunscrean are recommended.

Snacks and drinks will be provided after the event.

Highlights of the Eagles game against New York.

Marking

This week the U12s are going to work on marking. Here is a video to see how the professionals do it.

Saturday Morning Footy July 11

Saturday Morning Footy starts back up on July 11 after the break for July 4.

When: 9am - 10.30am Saturday July 11
Where: Bluemont Park, 601 N Manchester St Arlington VA 22203 (South end)
What: Fun activities and games to introduce Australian football to girls and boys aged 5 to 15.
How much: FREE!
To Bring: Water bottle, T-shirt and shorts, cleates are suggested. We also recommend hats and suncream. Snacks and drinks will be provided at the end of the session.

Saturday Morning Footy enjoys beautiful weather

After last week's pouring rain, it was great to have beautiful sunny weather for Saturday Morning Footy. The program began with the under 8s and the under 12s going through basic skills of handball and kicking. Then after warm up games, the under 8s had a game of "punt" ball (like kick ball except you punt the ball) while the U12s played "ulitimate footy" (like Ultimate except with kicking and handpassing).





The U8s plus parents and the U12s played a game between the Eagles and the Blues. For the U8s, Luka and Max starred for the Eagles. In the U12 game it was a close contest with the Blues taking it with a late goal to Phillip after marking in the square. Katie was excellent for the Blues getting the ball out of the pack to Nathan who scored coming off the backline and Braedan was great in defense. For the Eagles, CJ and Brendan worked well together and Aidan was a rock in defense.

Big thank you to former Eagle and Canadian National team representative, Rob Brunton, for coming out and coaching the junior Eagles.

NEXT: Saturday July 11 at 9am at Bluemont Park.

Become a junior member of the BW Eagles!

Become a Junior Eagle and get a SUPER COOL Eagles baseball style T-shirt as well as other cool stuff. Proceeds go to the Baltimore Washington Eagles, a 501c(4) Not-For-Profit working hard to develop footy in the Washington DC area.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!

Saturday Morning Footy: June 27

When: 9am to 10.30am June 27
Where: Bluemont Park (601 N Manchester St Arlington VA 22203). The field is at the south end. Note there is a parking lot and a bathroom block located at the south end of the field.
What to bring: Water bottle, suggest also bring cleats, hat and put on sunscreen.
How much: Free! Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Saturday Morning Footy kicks off in the rain!

On Saturday June 20, the junior footy program, Saturday Morning Footy, kicked off in the pouring rain. For the Australians it was "just like home" except it was much warmer than a cold and wet Melbourne Saturday morning in the middle of winter.

Seventeen boys and girls between 5 and 15 and their parents braved the rain to learn some "wet weather footy". The younger group went through fun introductory footy games with RJ Wheelock and Jay Levesque, two BW Eagles and US Revolution stand outs. The older group worked on their "pick up" skills - the ball spends a lot of time on the ground when it is wet.

The session ended with the games for both groups. In the older group, the Blues took on the Eagles in a very even contest. Cameron was a big threat for the Blues up forward, while CJ and Charlie worked well together to keep the Eagles in the game. Braedan was a rock in defense for the Blues.

Thanks to all the parents who helped out. Thanks also to Eagles RJ, Jay and Joe. Also a big thank you to Paul Reddacliff a member of the Eagles coaching staff and a former junior footy coach in Australia.

Next Saturday Morning Footy is Saturday June 27 at Bluemont Park, beginning at 9am.

Saturday Morning Footy: June 20

When: 9am to 10.30am

Where: Bluemont Park (601 N Manchester St 22203)

To bring: Water, running shoes (cleats suggested), hat and sunscreen also encouraged.

How much: FREE!

Other stuff:

1.  Please sign in when you arrive.  If you have registered, just check the box.

2.  Parents are encouraged to participate and help the coaches.

3.  There is a toilet block south of the field at the end of the parking lot and another to the north at the tennis courts.

4.  Snacks and drinks will be provided at the end of the session.

5.  Arlington sports weather line is 703-228-4715.  We will stop if there is lightning or thunder.

Saturday Morning Footy 2009.

Saturday Morning Footy begins its fourth year as the premier junior Australian football program in the United States.  The program is run be DCFootyKids and the Baltimore Washington Eagles Australian Rules Football Club and it is designed to introduce boys and girls aged 5 to 15 to the great game of Australian football.  IT IS FREE!!!  

This year, the program begins JUNE 20 and runs each Saturday morning from 9.00 to 10.30 am until JULY 27 (with a break for 4th of July).  Everything takes place at Bluemont Park in Arlington VA.  Click here to register.  You are welcome to attend just one or all five!

The program involves games and activities designed to introduce the skills and rules of the game in a fun way.  For the older and more experienced players there will be introductory house league.  All games and activities are non-contact.

Contact Chris Adams at 703-217-3625 or christopher_p_adams "AT" hotmail.com if you have any questions.

George Mason Open Day and Kids Clinic

On Saturday June 6 at Noon there will be an Open Day and Kids clinic at George Mason University if Fairfax VA. After the clinic, everyone can watch a Metro Cup game between Northern Virginia and Baltimore.

When: 12noon to 2pm Saturday June 6 (RAIN or SHINE)

Where: George Mason University (Fairfax Campus) Intramural Field #3
Rapidan River Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 (after the Field House turn left from University Drive)

What: Free clinics for all ages and metro footy game.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Best of DC!

According to the Washington City Paper, Footy is one of the best participatory sports in DC.

"Australian Rules Football

Ground Rules: Get the ball between the goal posts using pretty much any means necessary— running, tackling, kicking, and blocking the ball with any part of your body. A cross between soccer and football, Aussie rules, or “footy,” is a contact sport which requires no sort of protective padding—“just a mouthguard,” says Tony Goodman, president of the Baltimore Washington Eagles (baltimoredceagles.com). In fact, a recent club flier states, “Pads would just cover up the bruises.” Aussie Rules goes a long way in explaining Russell Crowe.

Where to Play: The Eagles welcome new players to training sessions and, for those who don’t fancy turning up to the office black and blue, there’s also a coed non-contact version called Ausball developed by one of the assistant coaches (annual dues for both are $60). For pint-sized beginners, there’s an offshoot club (DC Footy Kids, dcfootykids.blogspot.com), which is free, but don’t worry, Goodman says that “the kids’ version, of course, doesn’t include tackling!” "

See more here.

Registration now open!

After a very successful Open Day on March 14, we have opened up registration for the Saturday Morning Footy which will run from June 20 to July 25 at Bluemont Park in Arlington. This is a free program designed to introduce boys and girls aged 5 to 15 to the great game of Australian football. The program includes fun activities to teach the skills and rules of the game. Each session will end with a non-contact game. For the older kids, the game will be part of a house league. To register click the link on the side bar. Note that program is FREE!

Click the link to register: Register Here.

Eagles Open Day March 14

The Baltimore Washington Eagles and DCFootyKids are having an Open Day on Saturday March 14 at Bluemont Park in Arlington. Come down and learn about the great game of Australian football. There will be clinics and activies for the kids. You can also meet and practice with members of the 2008 EAFL Champions, the Baltimore Washington Eagles, and representatives of the US National team, the American Revolution!

When: 10am to 2pm Saturday March 13
Where: Bluemont Park, 601 N Manchester St, Arlington, VA 22203
What: Fun, free activities for kids, parents, and players.