Changing times, on and off the field, for Rocky Brothers
AUSSIE RULES: Jeff Lyon is hoping to lead the Rockhampton Brothers Aussie Rules club to victory this year, as the club undergoes a period of change both on and off the field.
With the Capricornia Aussie Rules season just around the corner, the Brother Rockhampton club is gearing up for a ripper of a season.
Acting Brothers president Ross Laycock said on the field, a new senior coach in Lyon has been appointed, bringing enthusiasm into the club along with a fresh outlook to recruitment.
"Training commenced in November in Rockhampton, Emerald and Blackwater which has seen better than expected outcomes in the mining areas," Laycock said.
"The club recognises that the changing work environment has significant impacts on the ability of players to attend training and become part of the club. To this extent the club has embarked on the development of a structure that will see training being facilitated at both Emerald and Blackwater during the week days in anticipation of attracting players from those centres to play on the weekends where shifts allow time off."
To accommodate out-of-town players, Laycock said the club has appointed Dylan Fry in Emerald as assistant coach and Liam Kronk in Blackwater also as assistant, with Fry having previously played in the SANFL and Kronk a league best player in AFL Capricornia.
"Training has recommenced at Kele Park on Monday and Wednesday from 5.30pm and at Emerald showgrounds on Tuesday and Thursday also from 5.30pm. Blackwater training is to resume at the high school also on Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30pm in the first week of February," he said.
"The club will again be fielding a women's team with early interest being shown by a few girls already joining with the seniors on these training nights. Coach and manager for the team is yet to be appointed and any girls wishing to play may meet at the senior training times at Kele Park."
Junior coaches and team managers are to be confirmed in the next few weeks as the club heads towards the junior sign-on day on Sunday, February 10, at Kele Park from 11am-1pm, where activities and a sausage sizzle will be provided.
In the off-field scene, Laycock said the club has several new committee members filling roles of vice-president and treasurer while the position of president remains unfilled and is currently filled in an acting capacity by himself.
"The focus of the new committee is to ensure that individuals fill the role and share the work load across the management group," Laycock said.
For junior details contact Lucas Christian on 0408 761378 and for senior details, contact Jeff Lyon on 0447824744.
