Season 2009 Pre Season

Welcome to Season 2009

La Trobe University Football Club would like to welcome you to the Pre Season Edition of its first Online Newsletter.

In this Edition:

• First Round
• Presidents Report
• Coaches Report
• New Women's Team
• Sponsors
• Update Time 
• Player Profile
• Blast from the Past

 

First Round

The first round kicks off this weekend Saturday April the 18th. Finally we can get back into it and we look forward to what will be an exciting and successful year both on and off the field.

Sat 18th April
La Trobe University Vs Kew @ Home
Reserves 11.40am & Seniors 2pm

Therry Penola Vs La Trobe University @ Penola Regional Catholic College, Gibson Street, Broadmeadows (Mel Ref 6 G10)
Under 19s 2pm

Sun 19th April
Melton Vs La Trobe University @ McPherson Park Oval 2, Coburns Rd, Toolernvale (Mel Ref 330 H8)
Womens 12pm

Good Luck!!!!

Presidents Report

Well a new season is already upon us! Firstly I would like to congratulate all the parties involved in making the 2008/9 pre season the best in recent memory. In particular a big thanks goes out to Dean Sheldrick, Terry Ludeman, David Huffer, Andrew Sutherland, Theo Staius, Cam Black, Cable Sage and Justin Lania. The work that these men put into the organising and running of pre season training has bee phenomenal and I thank them very much for their efforts.

The off season has seen many changes occur around the club. The most significant of these has been reintroduction of an under 19’s team and the establishment of a Women’s football side. Brett Muir and Jess Smith should be congratulated for their work in getting these teams up and going, so a big thanks for their efforts goes out from me to them. Another big change has been regaining the use of our ground. The works that have been carried out over the past 18 months will ensure that the facilities of the La Trobe University Football are the best in the entire VAFA.

Expectations are fairly high around the club for the 2009 season. With high training numbers, a quality coaching staff and fantastic new facilities these expectations are not unfounded. However commitment to the cause has always been an issue in my time at the club. At the end of last year I asked all players to commit to the club and do so early. The response we got was very encouraging and having a base of senior players to work with certainly helped the coaching group with the organisation of pre season. Now I ask all that have signed up for the 2009 season to commit to the next 20 weeks. This means training as much as you possibly can; communicating to coaching staff in advance when you are going to available and turning up on time to trainings and match days.

At the recent planning day I observed with interest as the culture of the club was questioned by almost every group. The committee and coaching group have worked very hard over the last 12 months to try and tweak the club culture, so that it is more combatable with playing quality football. However some of this responsibility needs to be put onto you, “the playing group”. As I said at the planning day the club is run for the benefit of the players, by players. We are not like many other clubs with a heap of old guys kicking around to do all the work for us. We are completely in control of our own destiny. Therefore any success we achieve will be that little bit sweater because it will be ours and ours alone.

In closing I would just like to wish everyone good luck for Rd 1. Congratulations to all players making their debut for the club, wear the jumper with pride.

Go Trobers

Brad Van Ooi

LTUFC President

With the first game of the year just days away I will you a introduction to some of the names and happening’s at Latrobe in the 2009 preseason.

Coaches for 2009:

We have assembled a really strong panel of coaches for 2009. The following is brief summary of our coaching panel for the 2009 season:

Senior Coach: Dean Sheldrick

I have been involved with the club since 1999. I was lucky enough to play in the senior premiership in 1999 and have since played in two finals series in 2002 and 2007. I took on the coaching with Terry in 2007 and have enjoyed the two years of coaching even with the mixed results in both years.

Senior Coach: Terry Ludeman

Terry has been involved with the club since 2000 and has played in two senior finals series. Terry is past club best and fairest as well as being captain of the club for four years. Terry has been nominated in the team of the year on numerous occasions and after a return from overseas is looking forward to the coming season.

Assistant Coach: David Huffer

 Huff brings years of experience to our young squad. Huff is a previous club captain, premiership player and life member at Latrobe. Huff will be the bench coach for the season this year while Terry and I will be playing.

Director of Coaching:  Andy Sutherland

We are really lucky to have Andy down with us to help out in a part time role. Andy is a past player, premiership coach and life member at the club. Andy has also had coaching roles at A, B and C grade clubs. He has come onboard this year to support our coaches this year.

Reserves Coach: Theo Staios

Theo is a first year coach this year and has a background in the Diamond Valley Football League and as a player at Latrobe. Theo brings new and exciting ideas to club and has started the preseason with two wins.

Reserves Assistant Coach: Cam Black

Cam also has vast experience at the club as both a player and coach. He will provide valuable support for Theo and the reserves this season.

Reserves Assistant Coach:  Sage Cable

Cable has been involved in both past and present boys and girls’ uni games squads. He will also act as Theo’s runner for the 2009 season.

Under 19’s Coach: Gil Huckstep

Gil is a past player at Latrobe as well as having coaching experience at VAFA representative level. Gil has under taken the job of coaching our under 19’s for 2009 and with a talented squad assembled the under 19’s will be a force in 2009.

Preseason:

The club has had a really strong 2009 preseason which started back in November 2008. We have experienced strong numbers from day one and have slowly built up our numbers. We have had over 130 players come through the door so far. Justin Lania came on board as Fitness Coach this year and designed a running and weights program which our squad are reaping the benefits.

We have had three solids hit outs leading up to our first game. Our opponents have been Eley Park, West Brunswick and the Latrobe Uni games side. During these games we have identified the talent within our squad and started a Senior Squad for training. Overall it’s been one of the best preseasons for many years at the club and we can’t wait for round 1.

Recruitment:

The 2009 season seen a large number of recruitments as well as consolidating last years squad. For the first time in about 5 years we have retained our club best and fairest in Joey Mclean. We have also have some exciting recruits who have come to the club, Adam Gill, Matt Garder, Aaron Tully are three to name and will be looking forward to playing senior football this year.

We also have had some senior players return in for this season, Gerrard Bence, Xavier Shiels, Geremy Gernanio and Dom Conheady after pursing football at other clubs last season. Some young talent that will be running round in the under 19’s include: Jack Mcmeel, Joseph Meikeljahn and Phil Merret. All in all our recruiting this year equals more depth within our club and leads in to a promising 2009.

Player Snapshot - Justin Lania our 2008 Reserves Best & Fairest

Name:  Justin Lania             Nickname:  Kouta  Studied: Arts / Science  Occupation:  Primary School Teacher AFL Team:  Collingwood Favourite Movie: Snatch Home Town: Bundoora, not too far Club Before La Trobe: St. Damians                                          Most Embarassing Momement: The trick is not to be shy! Footy Achievements: Not much. But, yet to win a flag. Maybe this year. Go Trobers! If i wasn't playing footy i would be: Working, JD would say lifting weights….

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