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| "2003 National Carnival" |
For the SmartCover Air Force 'Hawks' Football Club, the 2003 National Carnival began with a one-week training camp held in Richmond. There were many positives drawn from the training camp including skill enhancement, team cohesion and new friendships. It was exciting to watch a group of individual footballers from all over Australia mould into a strong and cohesive outfit.
The Coach, CPL Paul James from Fairbairn was responsible for all the training aspects and team activities on and off the training track. Paul has been absent from the AFFC for a few years, however this year he was heavily involved. During his absence many long traditions were neglected or misplaced but thankfully they were established once again upon his return. |
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Two training sessions were run daily which consisted mainly of activities on the training track and recovery sessions in the pool. There was an abundance of long running drills with plenty of ball work to dust the cobwebs out of some of the team members. The intensity of training was of the highest level as all the boys knew that there were only 27 positions available for the 35 members on the training camp.
The training camp descended upon the nations capital for the final few days of training. The final team was chosen from performances both on the training track and in the internal trial match played at the end of the training camp. The trial game was a tough affair resulting in team selection as well as on-field leadership identification. At the end of the training camp there were some very unlucky footballers that missed out on the cut, however thanks to their admirable character they remained at the carnival for the benefit of the team.
On the Friday night before the carnival, the CAF was invited out to present the Team Guernseys to the final squad of 27, as was Ms Kay Priestly who provided the sponsorship for the AFFC from SmartCover. CPL Lance Purdon was selected to lead the AFFC onto the field for the carnival with LAC Michael Dunlea his second in command. All the boys were presented with a Club Guernsey, shorts and socks as well as a team polo shirt.
The AFFC played the first game against the Navy on the Monday afternoon and the team was pumped and raring to go following a victory in the same game last year. The match was very physical early on and it was hard to maintain possession of the ball. Both teams went goal for goal in the early stages of the game but the Eagles jumped the Navy early in the second quarter and pushed towards a significant four-goal lead at half time. The Eagles went into the half time break full of confidence that they could produce the same form in the latter two quarters, but the Navy came out stronger and fitter in the third quarter and pushed the Eagles right to the edge. In the fourth quarter the Eagles succumbed to what could only have been attributed to a lack of fitness and gallantly went down to the tune of three goals.
Following the game against the Navy, team moral was quite low knowing that they had to front up to the Army in two days time and that their chance of holding the Jim Smail Perpetual trophy had all but diminished. To the teams credit they held their heads up and put in an admirable performance against the fresh legged Army team who were full of confidence and running. There were many positives that came out of the game including stellar performances by LAC Michael Wescombe, LAC Michael Dunlea and LAC Nathan Holland who all ran out the whole game against quality opposition. The Army eventually ran away with the game and they also backed up with a convincing victory over the Navy on the Friday to once again win the Carnival.
On the Thursday following the AFFCs last game for the carnival, our first ever AGM was held, where the team voted in the management committee for the 2004 carnival and many other issues that we are sure will boost the strength and position of the team for 2004. A few initiatives that were introduced included the formation of club membership for current players, past players and VIPs and also a greater emphasis on state-level inter-service matches and carnivals to support the grass roots of the club.
Thursday night proved to be a very exciting night for the AFFC on two accounts. Firstly, the club best and fairest LAC Michael Wescombe and runner up LAC Nathan Holland were announced. A further award was handed out for the AFFC best Clubman. This award went to a LAC Anthony Hallam, who seemed to be able to instil moral and inspire the team even in their darkest hour.
On the Friday night of the carnival the All-Star Defence team was selected. This team will be playing a curtain raiser match to the ANZAC day clash between the Sydney Swans and the Melbourne Demons at the SCG. The team consisted mainly of Army representatives but included four AFFC members who excelled throughout the two games of the carnival that they played. The four members honoured included the AFFC captain CPL Lance Purdon, vice-captain LAC Michael Dunlea, Best and fairest winner LAC Michael Wescombe and on-baller LAC Nathan Holland.
The AFFC wishes these boys all the best for their trip to Sydney and know that they will represent the RAAF in true fashion.
To all the readers that have made it this far, the AFFC would like to announce that we will be seeking nominations for coaches and players in July this year. The 2004 Carnival will be held in Canberra, with the training camp beginning on the 10th of April 2004. |
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Air Force Football Club 
