THE Greater Western Sydney Giants took to the field for a Super Clinic that hoped to inspire Leeton children to get out on the oval and get in some kicks.
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For many of the children the chance to take to the field and take some advice from a professional AFL player was the opportunity of a lifetime.
The interaction brought the players out of the tvs in the lounge rooms and on to their home turf.
The larger-than-life players became tangible, real-life individuals that created lifelong memories for the children on the field.
The goal was to increase an interest in fitness and to possibly inspire children to aim high.
Across the board, every one of the players participating in the clinic availed themselves to the kids and no ask was too big.
Some, helped drive the goal of one day playing for a major AFL team home.
Several players on hand at the clinic had origins from within the Riverina.
From Narrandera’s Zac Williams and Harry Himmelberg of Wagga Wagga, the message to the children was clear.
If they were willing to put forth the effort and develop their skills, they too could become professional AFL players.
Williams and Himmelberg both played on Narrandera Sportsground long before they put on Giants uniforms and the history had not been forgotten by either player.
“These kids are in the same position as I was probably 10 years ago being a young kid when the AFL footballers came to town,” said Himmelberg.
“It’s really humbling to work with the kids (today) and seeing how excited they are.
“These are the future of Riverina football.”
For Williams it had been five years since he played in Narrandera and he was excited to return and work with children who may one day take the field on a professional level.
”I remember back when I was their age, the Swans used to do stuff like this,” Williams said.
“As a kid I always got really excited watching players on TV and then they’d be in our community.
“You grow up watching them and when you get the chance to meet them, they inspire you to want to follow in their footsteps.”
The clinic organized the children into several groups and cycled them through stations that were designed to let the kids practice the basic fundamentals of footy.
For Leeton’s Eloise Crelley, the experience to step on the field with Giants players was an impressive one.
“It was good,” Crelley said.
Being a Giants fan certainly didn’t hurt.
For Paul Symes, the day was one his children had waited for with rabid anticipation.
“They’ve been waiting all week for it,” Symes said.
“Everyday they’d wake up and go ‘can we go to the footy today?’
“They were very very excited about it.”
Symes was impressed with the way the Giants players were interacting with the children.
“They’re good, it gives (children) something to look forward to,” he said.
“Someone who has come from their area and they go ‘hang on, maybe I can have a go at that’.