The Happy Valley Football Club is represented by junior teams in the Under 18, 16, and 14 grades in the junior competition of the Southern Football League Incorporated. In the 2012 season, the club is represented by one Under 18, two Under 16, and two Under 14 teams. The Under 18’s, as well as the Valley Under 16’s and 14’s play on Saturday’s, whilst the Viking Under 16’s and 14’s play on Sunday’s. These junior teams of the Happy Valley Football Club are seen as the development ground for future A grade players. The club has won many premierships in the junior competition in previous seasons. While these premierships are important at the time, they are also seen as a stepping stone for these player’s developments. The ultimate success of the club is to win A Grade premierships from a core group of junior players developing through the grades.
The club is always keen to encourage players to participate at the highest level that they can. To this end, all junior players are encouraged to try their luck with the three SANFL clubs that draw from our club, being West Adelaide, South Adelaide, and Glenelg. The Happy Valley Football Club will never discourage a player from pursuing their goals by trying out at these clubs. We currently have players playing in our A Grade team that have played juniors with the club, and then gone to play in these SANFL teams. By not holding back the players development, it is the hope of the club that they will eventually return to where it all began. Who knows they may go on to play at the AFL level!
The junior group strives to project a professional attitude and outlook in all areas of their playing and representation of the Happy Valley Football Club. All Under 18’s and 16’s players have signed a performance agreement between the club and the player. In addition, a player’s parent have also co-signed this agreement if they are under the age of 18 as well, thus ensuring that everyone is aware of this agreement. In essence, this agreement lays out that a player will not consume alcohol or drugs at the club and will not act in a manner that will bring the club into disrepute. If this agreement is broken, then any appropriate penalties will apply.
Some coaches for these teams have also brought in dress code policies for their teams. This is currently not mandatory for all grades, but it is the intention of the club to have as many players in club colours. The junior players and their parents are also expected to assist the club in a number of volunteer functions.
The intention of the Happy Valley Football Club is to develop high standard coaches at the junior level who can guide and mentor our young players as they strive to be the best they can. The club is always looking for coaches at the junior level, and is keen to educate these coaches to learn appropriate skills to develop young players. The junior coaches work with the senior coaches to use similar training drills and coaching techniques that will make the transition from junior to senior football as seamless as possible. All Happy Valley Football Club junior players should always be aspiring to play A grade football, with part of the junior coaches role to promote this.
The Happy Valley Football Club core focus for juniors is to develop the skills and abilities of these footballers to be the best that they can be both on and off the field.
If you do have any further enquiries about the junior program at the Happy Valley Football Club, then please speak to Steve Maguire, Football Director, on 0407 606 546. Alternatively, Steve can also be contacted via email by clicking here.