Gauging interest in gridiron

THE Bendigo Dragons Gridiron Club is hosting three junior come and try sessions next month.

Set to take place on Wednesday, 2, 9, and 16 November at the Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve., Bendigo Dragons committee member and senior head coach Thomas Prince said attendees will get an “all-round taste” of American football.

“They’ll get their chance to throw the ball around, catch, learn blocking techniques and how to tackle, and to hopefully chuck on the pads and helmets,” he said.

“This is going to be inclusive of all age brackets for Gridiron Victoria, which is across the under 19s, under 16s and under 13s.”

Prince said he hopes to build junior teams of about 15 players each out of the sessions, in preparation for the next Gridiron Victoria League season in August.

“There’s a real growing interest in the junior bracket and in the league it’s growing significantly. That interest is what led to us putting these on,” he said.

“We’ve had some younger kids join our senior teams who are physically capable of doing that but without having established junior teams it’s hard to offer those opportunities for the other kids.

“We’re seeing a large number of kids who are intrigued by this more theatrical sport with helmets and pads.

“This is actually the first year that an under 13s age bracket has been entertained anywhere in Australia, so that’s really exciting for Gridiron Victoria.”

If established, Prince said he hopes to integrate the junior teams into flag football competitions early next year. Each come-and-try session will run from 5pm to 6.20pm.