Jeremy McGovern stood in front of a throng of primary school kids who were hanging off every word.
The West Coast key position prospect, promoted off the rookie list this season, has not yet played a senior AFL game, but these kids at St Joseph’s College were attentive and respectful. Not so long ago McGovern was in a similar situation.
McGovern is in Albany as part of the Australia Post Community Camp.
West Coast first visited the south coast town about a decade ago and McGovern was one of those youngsters enjoying the interaction with Eagles players like Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, Ben Cousins and Adam Hunter.
He dreamed of playing AFL football and is now within reach of that dream.
There are 20 players – as well as coaches and staff - in Albany for the community camp which engages locals and takes the club to the people.
They will visit schools, community groups, hospitals, aged care facilities and will also conduct coaching clinics, seminars with local football coaches and administrators as well as engage with community leaders.
For a lot of the players it was only a few short years ago that they were sitting, legs crossed, in the school gymnasium soaking up every shred of information.
At Spencer Park Primary School, champion ruckman Dean Cox had the students engrossed as he spoke of the need for a balance between study and exercise, the benefits of a nutritional diet to aid the ability to compete.
All of the players told their own stories about the path they have travelled to AFL football.
Cox (Dampier) and Jamie Bennell (Bunbury) are also from regional WA and the children could relate to their stories. It was almost visible in their wide-eyed adoration, their thirst for knowledge and bottomless well of questions.
The players encouraged the children to pursue their dreams, whatever they might be. To be attentive in the classroom and respectful in all they do.
The messages were strong and sincere and in all probability, next time West Coast visits this pretty location one of those children, maybe even more, might be wearing a West Coast polo rather than the school shirt they adorned today.
