2015 saw our tenth summer of footy and one of our best.
Across the summer, we had 84 children participate in the program. The total is 35 more than we had in 2014 – and our 2nd best total in the 10 year history of the program Participants ranged from 5 years old to 16 years old, with an average age of 9 years old (we had roughly equal participation of those ages 5-9 and those ages 10-16), 20 of our participants (nearly 25%) were girls. On a weekly basis, we averaged 40 participants (10+ more than last year). Our most well-attended session saw 60 children participate.
While the numbers are great. It was also great to have awesome coaches and volunteers helping us out. Thank you to everyone who helped out coaching, taking photos, cooking hotdogs, running registration, washing uniforms and bringing snacks.
We are very grateful to the support we received from the Carlton Football Club and Transurban. Our 2015 raffle winners took home two great prizes, a signed Carlton jersey and tickets to see the Nats play the Phillies.
On Saturday July 11, Saturday Morning Footy ventured across the Potomac to run a session on the National Mall. The weather looked grim but cleared by the time start time rolled around. It was our annual "Specky Session," one of the favorite sessions of the year. The boys and girls practice taking great marks (catches) using tackle bags to substitute for opposition players (or team mates). The key to a great specky is breaking it into two parts. The first part is jumping on the bag and using as leverage to rise up or to remain above your opponents. The second part is to reach up for the ball. It took a little bit, but the players were able to get the hang of it and take some great grabs.
After working on speckies, Coach Danny took the players through the basics of rolling and falling, both very important skills in Australian football.
The session ended with a match. The standard of football this year has been really fantastic. The ball movement and the kicking to a team mate's advantage were excellent.
Saturday July 18 we are back at BLUEMONT PARK.
Thanks to Stuart Barkoff for the great photos. More PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK.

We are back from break this Saturday July 11 with a special session at West Potomac Park in Washington DC. We will begin at the normal time, 9am, and run until 10.30am.
Because our first attempt at Specky Week was rained out, we will be doing Specky Week. I hope everyone has been practicing their big leaps!
This special session will be followed by the big game between the #18 Baltimore Washington Eagles and the North Carolina Tigers. Eagles are 0-1, while the Tigers are 1-2. Last year each team won on home soil.
It should be great game. Please bring a picnic and come out and join us.
It begins at 1pm.
Saturday Morning Footy hopes everyone has a great 4th of July holiday. Stay dry or cool and enjoy the fireworks.
Saturday Morning Footy will be back July 11 with a very special session at West Potomac Park in our Nation's capital. The session will begin at 9am.
At 1pm the #18 Baltimore Washington Eagles take on the North Carolina Tigers.
Bring and picnic. Come out and support your home town Eagles.
Picture: SMF Coach, Jay Levesque, sings the National Anthem with his US Revolution team mates.
Arlington County has closed all fields today. There will Eagles Practice at 10am at West Potomac Park in DC. Kids are welcome.