More than 600 West Coast Eagles members flocked to Aquinas College on Monday to participate in the 2016 Rick’s Rookies coaching clinic.

The entire West Coast squad took time out from its busy training schedule to co-ordinate the clinic, which is the first of three Rick’s Rookies event for the year.

West Coast’s much-loved mascot Rick ‘The Rock’ Eagle laid down an early challenge to the children, coaxing some on stage to take part in a dance battle of epic proportions.

Rick promptly handed the spotlight over to West Coast’s players, who ran the club’s young members through a variety of skill stations.

Eagles stars Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey, Josh Kennedy and Eric Mackenzie were among several players who helped the 5-12 year olds improve their kicking, handballing, marking and tackling skills.

Nic Naitanui – who drew the event’s biggest crowd – also had kids hanging off his every word at a special rucking and kicking station.

Experienced defender Will Schofield got into the spirit of the fun school holidays event by encouraging his young protégés to chase and tackle Eagles’ goal sneak Josh Hill, who was forced to retreat to Aquinas College’s lower oval on several occasions.

Sponsor HBF Health was on hand to supply the clinic’s eager, young athletes with free water, fruit and pedometers as parents enjoyed the musings of event MC’s James Grabski and Will Maginness.

After the clinic concluded Rick’s Rookies members took advantage of an opportunity to fill their autograph books with Eagles signatures before they were encouraged to travel to Domain Stadium and enjoy the club’s open training session.

At least half of the clinic’s young participants made their way down to training to see how their heroes executed the skills they had taught them just hours earlier.