Before Christmas arrives Shepparton will host a junior football workshop run by homegrown AFL talents.
Shepparton United product and newly-minted North Melbourne development coach Michael Barlow will bring two clinics to Deakin Reserve on Friday, December 22, under the Play On Footy banner.
Barlow operates Play On Footy in conjunction with Carlton AFL Women’s head coach Mathew Buck, and the two have held numerous skills workshops for children in regional areas, including their last visit to Shepparton in July.
However, this time Barlow and Buck are bringing additional star power in the form of Tallygaroopna-born 2023 Collingwood premiership star Steele Sidebottom.
Junior boys and girls are eligible for the Junior Stars-Little Tackers session, kicking off the day at 9.30am to 1pm.
Sidebottom, who booted what would become the sealer for Collingwood’s epic grand final triumph in September, will assist in the one-hour Youth Masterclass session from 12.30pm, open to teenagers aged 14-17.
“We’ve run five or six of these sessions across the year and I’ve done one in Shepparton at this time of year for the last three or four years,” Barlow said.
“I know Steele well and being from the area meant this was a good opportunity for him to get involved.
“His experience and longevity as an AFL player speaks for itself and he’s one who’s never forgotten where he’s come from.”
It is undoubtedly a big fish to land and the addition of Sidebottom completes a coaching trio actively involved in high-performance environments.
It is no surprise that, as Barlow explains, the interest is consistently there.
“The first time it was done, we just hoped it would generate interest and it had,” the ex-Shepparton United talent said.
“A lot of parents are looking for more specialised coaching and it lends itself to do some game education that’s right on the cutting edge with our older cohort.
“We’re very much looking forward to it.”
To register for the session head to the Play On Footy website at www.playonfooty.com