Football: More travel on the cards

Travelling interstate as part of the Great Southern Storm’s football development program could become an annual event, following the success of this week’s first trip outside WA.

A 22-man squad landed in Darwin last Friday for a six-day training camp that included playing a game on Tuesday night against local side Southern Districts Football Club.

Senior coach Phil Gilbert said discussion about the possibility of another trip next year was underway.

He said the experience was of enormous benefit to the professional development of squad members, who were rewarded with the camp after eight weeks of dedicated training.

“It is the most important thing as far as we’re concerned, that they gel well, share lots of laughs and everyone is involved,” he said.

“It’s super important and is a testament to the program and is what we set out to achieve.

“After the game I sat down with the president of Southern Districts to try and strike a chord and see whether we can do this sort of thing every year, and he was very keen.”

Accompanied by coaches Dean Prouse and Raymond Joy, manager Jen Whittle and mentor Beau Wilkes, the squad was introduced to humid Northern Territory conditions during a series of daily trainings.

Gilbert said the Storm’s ability to adapt to hot and humid conditions was as outstanding as their nine-goal win over Southern Districts on Tuesday.

“Even though the humidity was overbearing and the opposition was strong, they ran the game out, which means the program we are running is doing the job,” he said.

Denmark-Walpole small forward Henry Woods was awarded best on ground for a stunning exhibition through the midfield, while Royals’ Ben Grey booted four goals up forward.

Other notable Royals players were David Parker and Brady York, while the Sharks’ Matt Galantino and Tom Fuller-ton played brilliantly in defence.

Storm football operations manager Darrell Panizza said the prospect of creating an annual interstate camp would be decided after the squad returned and the trip was assessed.

“The major benefit is that those kids will be ready to play footy by March next year,” he said.

“If it’s a viable proposition to do every year and they are willing to assist us in organising it then I’m sure it is something the Storm committee will consider.”

Panizza didn’t rule out a trip being organised for the Storm’s girl’s squad down the track.

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