Following on from the success of last year’s Inter-State Challenge Shield, when our Under 14 team visited Tasmania to play against our partner club South Launceston, the Heathmont Jets Junior Football Club is pleased to announce that this year we will be hosting the South Launceston Junior Football Club when they visit us here in Melbourne during the July school holiday period to play against a combined Under 14 and Under 13 Heathmont Jets team.
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Initial planning for the Challenge Shield this year will most likely see the boys from South Launceston travel here to Melbourne for three days from Wednesday 10th July through to Friday 12th July (last week of the July school holiday period). They will play off against a combined Under 14/13 Heathmont Jets team for the Challenge Shield under lights in a twilight match most likely on the Thursday evening (11th July).
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A possible three-day itinerary might look something like the following:
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Day 1: Wednesday 10th July
• Morning: SLJFC travel to Melbourne
Melbourne city sightseeing activities for SLJFC players and officials
• Afternoon: Official welcome to Heathmont Jets FC
Joint training session with Heathmont Jets JFC
• Evening: BBQ dinner provided by HJJFC
SLJFC players go home with “Home-Stay Buddies” and families from HJJFC
Social activity for Club Officials from SLJFC and HJJFC
Day 2: Thursday 11th July
• Morning: Activities with home-stay buddies and families
• Early Afternoon: Local sightseeing activities for players and officials (both clubs)
• Late Afternoon: Inter-State Challenge Shield Match
• Evening: Joint Team Dinner and Presentations hosted by Heathmont Jets JFC
Day 3: Friday 12th July
• Morning: Recovery pool session – Aquanation Ringwood
• Early Afternoon: MCG Tour or similar for South Launceston players/officials/parents
• Late Afternoon: LJFC return travel to Launceston
As can be seen from the above, and as was the case when our boys travelled to Tassie last year, the players from South Launceston will need to be home-stayed with players and families from the Heathmont Jets FC. As such we are seeking Expressions of Interest from Under 14 and Under 13 Heathmont Jets players and families who are interested in participating in the Challenge Shield Match and those who are willing and able to home-stay two boys from South Launceston for two nights (Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th July).
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Home-staying involves providing accommodation and some meals (e.g. breakfast), as well as “looking after” the two “guest players” during their time here in Melbourne with us. Club officials and parents from South Launceston will stay in nearby motel/hotel accommodation.
Final details of the trip will be confirmed over the coming weeks but at this stage we are very keen to ensure that this year’s event is as successful as our trip to Tassie was last year.
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Register your interest for this event via the form above. Any enquiries on this event can be sent to Wayne below -
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Wayne Judge – Director of Football
