Elite Senior Camp

BEN LENNON & KAMDYN McINTOSH (Richmond FC) TALK DFS ELITE CAMP

The Elite Camp mirrors many aspects of the trips taken by AFL clubs when they play interstate, and exposes players to the type of environment experienced by elite footballers. DFS Head Coach Jarrad Carey is responsible for all of the logistics surrounding the camp, and bases planning around his experiences with the Collingwood Football Club. Jarrad served in many full-time roles at the Magpies, including Team Manager, where he was charged with arranging all interstate matches, pre-season camps and AFL community trips.

2015-16 PLAYER SURVEY

Players from the 2015-16 Elite Camp were surveyed, with their identities remaining anonymous to ensure the integrity of the feedback;

• 100% of respondents stated that their football had improved in 2015 as a result of the camp
• 100% of respondents would recommend the Elite Camp to their friends
• 100% of respondents were “Very Satisfied” with their experience
• 100% of respondents will be applying to be part of the 2017 Elite Camp 

2015-16 ELITE CAMP HIGHLIGHTS

Based on direct feedback from the 2015-16 squad, the main highlights of the Elite Camp were;

• The opportunity to represent Victoria in two matches against the Western Australian Warriors
• Playing Game 1 at the Whitten Oval (home of the Western Bulldogs)
• Playing Game 2 at Essendon FC, True Solar Venue
• ‘Bunking’ with teammates and coaches at a city hotel for 2 nights
• Special guest speaking appearances by;
• Carlton Recruiting Officer
• Essendon listed players attending Match 2
• AFL Player Manager from Stride
• Intimate team-only workshops
• ‘Mental skills for footy’ with an AFLPA Sports Psychologist
• ‘Diet and nutrition’ with Nutrition Melbourne
• Making so many great new friends
• Getting the hoodie, playing jumper and other cool gear
• AFL-style Match Review of Game 1
• Watching Richmond and Melbourne training sessions
• AFL-style recovery at Melbourne City Pools after Game 1
• Being mentored by elite junior coaches
• Getting our own DVD copy of Game 2
• Team bus to and from games
• Meeting AFL players like Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood) and Heritier Lumumba (Melbourne)

PLAYER FEEDBACK

Feedback from the 2015-16 playing squad;

• I’ve learnt things on this camp that will help me with my dream of having a career as a football player. To see and feel what it feels like for AFL players before and after the game, to go and watch 2 teams train, to have all these people come in and explain everything they have gone through to reach their goals, was just a great experience. – Harry Dean (Woodend JFC)

• Thanks to all the DFS coaches for this great experience. I really enjoyed the camp and hope to do it again next year! – Quinn Clark (Warrandyte JFC)

• I had a great time meeting new mates and getting to know more of the coaches. Hope to see you all again next year. – Matt Volpe (Yarrambat JFC)

• Thanks everyone for the great experience. I had heaps of fun. Thanks to all the coaches for organising it and hope to see everyone again. – Sam House (Laurimar JFC)

• Had the best time at the DFS Elite Camp. Would like to thank all the coaches and staff for their time and effort to put this terrific camp together. What an experience and great teammates I now have. Looking forward to next year. – Riley Williams (St Simon Knights JFC)

• Thank you to all the coaches & my DFS teammates for allowing me to enjoy such a great experience. I had a great time at the camp and learnt heaps. – Callum May (Kilmore JFC)

• Thanks to all the DFS coaches and staff for a great experience and the chance to make so many new friends. I hope we can play as a group again. – Alex Guida (Westmeadows JFC)

• Thank you to everyone involved with the DFS ELITE CAMP. It was an honour playing in the DFS side. It was a great experience and one I hope to be involved in again. – Michael Schembri (Avondale Heights JFC)

• Thank you guys so much for these past 3 days, it was an honour to play alongside the boys that I did and thank you to all the DFS staff for putting this together. I hope to see you all next year. – Cade Tauber (Pearcedale Baxter JFC)

• Thanks all, I had a great time. Looking forward to next year and to see you fellas again. Thanks to all coaches and staff for all the effort put in. – Callum Bowden (Karingal JFC)

• Thanks to all the coaches of DFS for putting this camp together. I had a blast along with everyone else. Thanks to the DFS boys who I had the pleasure to play with it was a hectic experience. Hopefully I get to experience this again next year. – Dylan Allen (Rye JFC)

PARENT FEEDBACK

Feedback from parents of the 2015-16 squad;

• What a camp! A brilliant effort by the DFS coaches and staff to give the boys an amazing experience and create such a fantastic football team! Well done everyone and on behalf of Sebastian thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime. – Ren Fernandez (East Burwood JFC)

• Cal has been absolutely flying since the camp. The last couple of seasons he has struggled with confidence, and the DFS programs have played a huge part in him getting his self belief back. He is loving his footy again. – Grey May (Kilmore JFC)

• Thank you so much for all that you did for the boys. Sax and Flea had an absolute ball and I’m so pleased that they were able to experience this camp. – Narelle Rodwell (Altona JFC)
• Great stuff, Alex can’t stop talking about it and loved the coaches. – Matt Guida (Westmeadows JFC)