Vipers would like to send Josh Chan and his family their thoughts and prayers as Josh’s Grandmother recently suffered a stroke.
Josh will head home to Singapore shortly to be with his family as they continue to care for her on a daily basis.
Vipers wish Josh a safe flight home and return when his Grandmother retunrs to better health.
22nd April 2009Touch Football Victorian are now calling for accredited coaches for the State’s Boy’s and Girls 18′s plus the State Girl’s 15′s teams.
Vipers has a proud history of supplying the State teams with suitably qualified and accredited coaches in both the Junior and Open’s division in past years.
Past Vipers who have coached or managed Victoria State teams include Suzy Barrett, Michael Carter, Andrea Frankpitt, Stephen Young, Melissa Ashmore, Russell Bari, Matthew Gilbertson, Stewart Dracup and Hellie Dracup have all supported the State programs in recent years.
Vipers would encourage any aspiring female coaches to contact the club as we have funding available through the Women in Sports grant supported by the Australian Sports Commission to gain your level 1 or level 2 coaching qualifications.
For more details on these coaching roles contact Ali Tuai on 9206 6755 or log onto the Vic Touch website
10th April 2009Haileybury College has once again done the incredible and for the second year in a row has claimed the silverware in all School competitions in 2009. The Haileybury 1st touch team have capped of their season in style with not only claiming the APS Schools Comp but also winning the Victorian Schools Champs held during March.
Lead by inspirational players and co captains Josh Dawson, Jordon Donnelly and Chris Venten and impeccably coached by Spud Taranto and sidekick Finlay Batts they left their opposition thinking about next year after they claimed consecutive titles. The team did not have everything there own way in both competitions with tough oppostion in Xavier, Scotch, Chaffey and Westall all teams having improved remarkabley in 2009, provided the team with competition it has never seen before this year. This level of competition will only strengthen the standard and expectations of the players and schools as they all now look to emulate the work Haileybury has done for many years.
Congratulations to Spud and the boys from Haileybury college on a wonderful year. Vipers looks forward to many of these young players making the move to the Viper VT Men’s team in season 2009 as Vipers continues to develop the states junior talent.
31st March 2009The National Touch League series once again has been run and won under some very wet condition in Port Macquarie over the weekend, The NTL tournament brings together the countries best players all vying for National titles in their division. This event double as the selection tournament for the National Open teams who are set to take on the New Zealand teams in Wollongong as part of a Trans Tasman series later in the year, so competition would be tough and did not disappoint.
Vipers players and coaches competed with 3 permits during the tournament with Victoria M30′s, ACT M30′s and Crusaders Open teams fielding Vipers.
The Vic Men’s 30′s team consisted of no less then 9 current Vipers players which really did not display the team game they worked on throughout the domestic season through VT and EPTA Sunday. The team displayed glimpses of brilliance on occasion but could not put that together for all games and eventually came away from the tournament in tenth position.
The week started out with a first round clash with ACT and fellow Vipers player Mick Carter who represented his home state during the week. MC’s inside knowledge of the team helped a very fast and cohesive ACT to a 10- 4 win and leave the team looking to the next game against Cobra’s for redemption. The Cobra’s game was much the same with limited opportunities and fast movement, the loud crowd in attendance mainly Victorian Crusaders players helped the team to a 7 all draw but one which needed to be won if any chance of a finals berth was to be expected. So after day 1 the lads where sitting in less then impressive spot.
Day 2 kicked off with a game in the swamp against Mets last years champions. in which basic touch was the key due to the conditions and rucking the ball was key to a win. This strategy worked and the Vic’s came away with a win 7-6 over the champs and record a history making win over Mets which has never been done before by any other Victorian team in any division. So this left the team in high spirits heading into the last round game against old foes SA, this game would decide the teams fate as a win was required to ensure bragging rights and a finals berth in 2009. The SA game was in much similar conditions as the morning’s games but the same tactics were not employed by the player’s and fancy touch begun with no effect against a quick and fired up SA team yet to win a game. To much conversation with the men in white left the Vic’s frustrated and this played into the SA teams hands as they ran in TD after TD and at one point had 5 players on the field and scored from the tap off. the 10-5 loss left the team waiting on other results to ensure them of a top 3 finish and shot at the big show. The loss by 5 TD’s eventually cost the team a finals berth and handed the Cobra’s a spot in the finals and relegated the Vic’s to a playoffs for the minors against Suns in the afternoon. Once again the conditions did not change but the game play of the team just did not adjust and continued to be out played by the Suns team how also had yet to win a game before meeting the Vic’s, The suns played simple touch with no real flair but basic and end the game with their noses in front 8-7 and another game that got away. This result left the Vic’s who just 4 hours earlier were 2nd in their pool thinking about finals to the playoff for last against old foes SA again the next day.
Day 3 was once again disappointing with SA winning the game 8-6 and relegating the Vic’s to their worst ever position 10th. A disappointing tournament for the team but some highlights for Vipers players were Jared Campbell and Stephen Young both finishing as highest scorers with Matthew Gilbertson. Youngy also took out the Player’s Player award from fellow Viper Clinton Burke for their efforts during the tournament.
Mick Carters’ team cruised through the round games and looked the goods for final spot until the semi’s when they ran into a fast finishing Canterbury team from NZ, leading by 3 TD’s at the break the boys from the nations capital were ran down in the second half and eventually finished 3rd. MC was unavailable for this match due to his coaching commitments with the Crusaders Women’s Open team which played at the same time slot. MC would surely have made a difference in this game as he has demonstrated for Vipers over the last 2 years winning the clubs’ VTL men’s MVP award.
Results
Lost to ACT 10 -5
Drew with Cobra’s 7 all
Defeated Mets 7 – 6
Lost to SA 10-5
Lost to Suns 8 – 7
Lost to SA 8 – 6
Crusaders Open’s
The Women’s team was dominated with Vipers players and coaches with no less then the entire staff and seven players associated with Vipers. The ladies had there best ever preparation for this event with training camps and increased weekly sessions which included a visit from Tony El Takchi to assist the team. The ladies kicked off the tournament with some close fought games which could have gone either way and set them up for shot at the finals.
Carmen Deane also collected the Coaches award for her stellar tournament for the Crusaders Women’s team.
Results
Lost to Gold Coast Sharks 9 – 5
Lost to NQ Cyclones 7 – 6
Lost to Southern Suns 7 – 0
Defeated Scorpions 5 – 2
Defeated Eagles 7 – 5
Lost to Barbarians 10 – 3
Defeated Hornets 11 – 6 (playoff game 9th & 10th)
Congratulations to all Vipers players and Coaches involved in this years National Touch League.
Victorian Men’s 30′s – Stephen Young, Russell Bari, Rob Mair, Jared Campbell, Johnny Moore, Dallan Kahui, Clinton Burke, Tim Grant and Stewart Dracup
ACT Men’s 30′s – Mick Carter
Crusader’s Women’s Open players – Melissa Ashmore, Carmen Deane, Brooke James, Sally Hamilton, Pat Car, Andrea Frankpitt and Julia Barry
Crusader’s Women’s Open staff – Suzy Barrett (Head Coach), Mick Carter and Stewart Dracup (Asst. Coaches), Hellie Dracup & Doug Barrett (Team Managers)
27th April 2009
The continued winning form and domination of Vipers netball teams continues with two more added to the win column this week.
The Albert park team again minus start shooter and rebounder Crano, missing in action to fulfil his footy career with Balwyn opened the door for another fill in player in Wheels. A little scratchy Wheels played down in the attacking zone and helped protect regular shooter Smash as the girls threw up 15 goals and about 30 bricks to be out jumped by “the Energizer Bunny” playing in defence for the opposition. This didn’t hamper the teams perfomrnce even though the game was a much tougher taskt hen in previous weeks. Brookey continuely got push around by here opposite but got all the penalties even without the ball. One again the back 3 in defence completely out played their opponents to again keep them under 10 gaols and not allowing any goals in the 3rd qtr. The game was won 15 – 6 but a much tougher game, this weeks video session will showcase key areas which will require improvement if the team is to continue its domination of this competition.
The Oakleigh team also proved to strong on Sunday night with Mon in fine form and shooting them in from all over the court and spectacularly assisted by Jase the super sub, the attacking team put away 37 goals helping to increase the teams for and against. The team are starting to gel together and the regular bonding session during the week are paying dividends with Mon, Burky and Youngy all turning up to Jase’s place the night before to talk tactics, this obviously helped the team but with a severe case of food poisoning to Youngy and remarkably to Jen’s partner Dougie who turned up to score for the team it really didn’t matter a great deal as the team powered to a 37 -12 victory. The after match celebartion were something for all the players to enjoy as well as their team’s supporters in Reece Lovett who showed his skills on the playstation during dinner and the Nintendo DS before offering everyone some cheese before the end of the night. ” Being able to celebrate a win with your supporters is what its all about” Youngy was quoted.
This week’s games will see a cast of fillins as players are away on represenatitve duties interstate after impressing in the first 3 games of the season and earning themselves well deserved rep spots.
The roving reporter will travel to the interstate rep games and report back next week on how each of the club’s rep players performed.
20th April 2009
Vipers move onto the netball court so far has been a raging success with both teams yet to taste defeat, although with the grading games soon to be over the teams could find themselves in a higher grade which will offer them a more superior challenge.
The Albert Park team once again showed their domination and superior fitness with a crushing victory over last years runner’s up 23-6 and at one stage kept their opposition scoreless for 2 quarters. The combinations the team have settled on have really began to show dividends with their attack and defensive units both improving each week. The attacking line with Smash and Brookey in goals due to the absents of Crano created a never ending flow of goals. MC and fillin player Lauren continued the run through the centre of the court with ease against a confindence ravaged opposition. Lauren’s rookie game may see her replace the absent Crano on a much more permanent basis after the eye catching display which impress the coaching staff.
The defensive line of Jen Galea, Suzy Barrett and with rock solid “GK” Stephen Young completing dominating their opponents each week the team is well structured and drilled for continued success. This week defensive coach Jen instructed the always responsive Youngy to stay back which paid dividends as he took intercept after intercept from the attacking team. ” Good instructions and commitment are really helping the team in these early rounds” Youngy was quoted as saying after the match to the roving reporter.
As the Albert Park comp moves back to pit lane this week will the change in surface and the indoor factor affect the teams momentum only time will tell.
The Oakleigh team complete their second game of the grading season with a convincing win against the Skittles 25-17 which for the first half really gave a good showing, but as with previous games the 3rd quater is where the Vipers begin to dominate their opponents. This team of skilled and superiorly fit athletes continue to display great feats of skill against much bigger opposition.
All players were on deck for the 2nd game of the year and combinations were hard to find as the guys rotated themselves into the scorers chair at the end of each quarter, with the Burke bros in fine form on and off the field during the day it was only a matter of time before flood gates opened, which they did in the 3rd quarter. The sharp shooting of Monique Le Grove down in goals and the light foot work of Mick Lovett reliving his rep basketball days the team powered to the victory line. But once again the defensive line of Jen Galea, Tanya Lovett and Mr reliable Stephen Young harrased the much taller opposition players into frustrating mistakes. Mel Ashmore played centre throughout the game supplying good centre passed and ran from end to end chasing the ball with great success, creating opportunities for the Vipers attacking team. Mon was quoted at the end of the game ” I can’t beleive we lost to that team” even though we actually won by 8pts. The confusion was isolated to the change in scorers at each quater.
Vipers teams will once again be on court this week, so come watch the stars of tomorrow in action.
Keep up to date with all the Netball action via the website with regular commentary from your roving reporter. Draw and results.
The Vipers presentation and auction night was held on Feb 20th at the Powerhouse Rugby club to celebrate a wonderful year of summer touch for the club and to recognise the acheivements of teams and individuals with the announcement of the club’s MVP’s.
The night also included the jumper presentation of the Haileybury 1st Touch team which Vipers have been associated with for the past two years. Jordan Donnelly co-captain of the team introduced each player to the crowd and parents present on the night. The team will compete in the inter school’s comp of which Haileybury are hot favourites to again feature in the finals.
The MVP awards were conducted after a hearty BBQ feast was served. Vipers would like to congratulate all MVP winners from the night.
VT League Men’s – Michael Carter
VT League Women’s – Brooke James
EPTA Sunday Men’s A – Stewart Dracup
EPTA Sunday Women’s A – Hellie Dracup
EPTA Sunday Men’s C – Jordan Donnelly
EPTA Sunday Men’s E – Richard Etti
EPTA Wednesday Mixed A Men’s – Jon Whitehead
EPTA Wednesday Mixed A Women’s- Suzy Barrett
EPTA Wednesday Mixed A Men’s – Brent Davidson
EPTA Wednesday Mixed A Women’s – Kathy Luvara
Fawkner Pk Thursday Mixed A Men’s – Tim Blackwood
Fawkner Pk Thursday Mixed A Women’s – Amy Lewicki
Rookie of the Year - Josh Chan
Extra Mile Award – Melissa Ashmore
Congratulations to all teams on making the finals in your respective competitions and to the following teams on making Grand Finals. Vipers would also like to congratulate Suzy and Amy on winning their resepective competitions Women’s MVP awards as voted by the referee’s.
EPTA Sunday Women’s A – Runner’s Up
EPTA Wednesday Mixed A – Premiers
Fawkner Pk Mixed A – Premiers
EPTA Wednesday Mixed A Women’s MVP – Suzy Barrett
Fawkner Park Mixed A Women’s MVP – Amy Lewicki
Vipers would like to acknowlege the kind doantions by each of the following business and sporting organisations to our Presentation and Auction night for 2009. – Carneige Deli, Dianne Gilbertson, Powerhouse Rugby Club, Hawthorn FC, Collingwood FC, Essendon FC, Melbourne Victory FC, ACT Brumbies, Global Balloning and Sandringham Sports Medicine. All of which helped raise much need funds for the club which will be utilised to subsides playing fees and continue to support our junior sport stars achieve and represent their State and Country in the future.
