Wandin JFC – 2022 Season Preview

Wandin Junior Football Club are riding a wave of excitement, with high participation seen across all teams setting them up for a great season of fun and development.

The club will field teams in many of the available age groups for 2022, including two U13’s sides, where the junior Bulldogs have worked hard on the training track to ensure they can play well and have a lot of fun.

Recent Geelong Football Club draftee Flynn Kroeger has also been involved when available, spending time with many of the age groups over the summer, particularly the U16 girls’ group, where they obtained valuable early lessons from him.

Club president Bob Foletta is pleased with the position his club sits in prior to the start of season 2022, explaining it’s also about developing players as positive members of the community.

“I am really happy with where participation numbers are at with Wandin JFC at the moment,” he said.

“Our new vision we are introducing to the club revolves around respect and community.

“A premiership at junior level is not our number one focus, it’s the environment and development of the kids as mature young adults.”

One of the key aspects of player development which the Bulldogs took great initiative with over the off-season was to run a five-week interleague training schedule of its own.

Players who expressed their interest in being part of the 2022 junior interleague program came forward and participated in a series of sessions designed to prepare them for the standard of junior interleague.

Justin Roberts and Maddy Stokes ran this program, where 30 boys and girls trained together, with an emphasis on fitness, conditioning, game sense and skills.

Members of the senior club, including head coach Nick Adam and strength and conditioning coach Josh McPhee were also on hand for one of the sessions to provide their own tuition.

“The feedback we received was that our five-week program had more than prepared them for the Sunday sessions held so far at Kilsyth, which we are happy about,” Foletta said.

With the season fast approaching, the level of anticipation for all involved at Wandin juniors is great and the entire club are eager for the season to start including coaches, players and parents as the idea of undertaking a full season appeals.

Expectations for the junior footballers of Wandin is to put in their best efforts on the field, but the development of young players, both as footballers and people is more important.

“We would like all teams and players to be competitive, but it’s also about development of the kids as opposed to winning premierships,” Foletta explained.

“If we win, it’s a bonus, but it’s the team environment and community spirit that’s more important.

“It’s all about fostering a passion of the game from a young age.”