2014 East Meets West Family Day

[AndrewP6]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

At least with the morning weather can have less of an impact. The other advantage of mornings is the players still get their Saturday afternoon to do what they like. I got the impression today that they couldn't get away quick enough which is understandable when they've given up most of their Saturday afternoon.

If it's hot, yes, but it's not like they're having a full contact training run. I think their haste to get away is really disappointing. Yes, they lose their Saturday arvo, but they have a pretty good job, all in all. They make a good impression, people are going to remember it, and will be more likely to go to games. Win-win for club and supporter/s.

[Doc26]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

Although I agree that today was not as well coordinated this year than previous, the four of us still really enjoyed ourselves. Especially good chats with our president, Peter, down to one of our newest in Mitch Honeychurch, who seems a really good young lad. It so happens that we, along with Alex Greenwood, went to the same secondary college and lived in neighbouring streets along with having similar teachers so it was good to make the connection.

The players in attendance were giving of their time, through their participation in the kids clinics and in their willingness for a general chat. Some of the players I came across in my travels today were Boydy, Gia, Will, Crammers, Big Tom, Jackson Macrae, Tommy Young, Nathan Hrovat, Easton, Redpath, Mitch Honeychurch, Alex Greenwood, Lin Jong. I suspect that there were others.

I would like to pay special tribute to Marcus Bontempelli with the way he handled himself with the kids and the clinic he ended up running by himself. He was thoroughly engaging and obliging with the young ones, who were having an absolute blast taking 'speccies' into and at times over him as he held onto some padding quite feebly to soften the impact. I was joking that it would be one of the rarer ways for a player to go down in a preseason and a harder one to live down. For his first out experience at such an event Marcus shined through.

I do agree that it would have been a good thing to have introduced, as they have previously, the players to the audience and it was a shame that Macca was not there on this occasion. I'm sure there is a good reason as he typically is a good supporter of such outings.

It was damn hot out there today so happy to afford the organisers some slack. What to me is more disappointing is the lack of Western Bulldog Easterners prepared to put in a couple of hours to show our commitment to the players and Club. Why should we expect the players to 'totally' buy into it with what seemed fewer than a couple of hundred supporters in attendance.

For mine, still a great couple of hours spent and thanks again to the East West Club for putting it on.

[always right]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

Certainly no criticism of the players while running the clinic. Agree that all were very approachable with the standouts some of the young blokes like Bonts, Hrovat, Greenwood and Big Tom.

[always right]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

If it's hot, yes, but it's not like they're having a full contact training run. I think their haste to get away is really disappointing. Yes, they lose their Saturday arvo, but they have a pretty good job, all in all. They make a good impression, people are going to remember it, and will be more likely to go to games. Win-win for club and supporter/s.

I'm talking about the heat impacting on the attendance which appeared to be down this year.

[AndrewP6]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

I'm talking about the heat impacting on the attendance which appeared to be down this year.

Ah yes, fair enough.

[The Underdog]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

I'm talking about the heat impacting on the attendance which appeared to be down this year.

I've got 3 kids 6yo & under. The heat was a pretty big factor in us not going. Might be lame but having been previously, there ain't much shade and tough to stick the kids in the sun for that long. Morning would definitely be preferable from that perspective.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

Sorry but I don't think it is just down to the heat. Except perhaps for the really young kids sakes, I found last year really disappointing. I had travelled to Melb. for years to attend this event.
If they want to keep the numbers up, and get the most out of this day for Club and membership promotion, I believe they need to return to it being a day with something for ALL supporters, not just a short kindergarten visit by a few players.

In the past this day served as a season opener for lots of supporters, and a chance to get to see and know something about the squad as it would be for the upcoming season. No more sadly.
Heat and afternoon time aside, I had already decided in advance, on the basis of the 2013 version, and the indication that this year would be more of the same, not to bother making the long trek to Melbourne for this day. From descriptions it certainly sounds like I was not alone in taking this position.

If the club wishes to optimise this event's potential to be a regular and ongoing chance to promote the club, I believe they need to seriously rethink their commitment to this event, otherwise within a very short time it is likely to go the way of the dodo.

[Eastdog]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

Sorry but I don't think it is just down to the heat. Except perhaps for the really young kids sakes, I found last year really disappointing. I had travelled to Melb. for years to attend this event.
If they want to keep the numbers up, and get the most out of this day for Club and membership promotion, I believe they need to return to it being a day with something for ALL supporters, not just a short kindergarten visit by a few players.

In the past this day served as a season opener for lots of supporters, and a chance to get to see and know something about the squad as it would be for the upcoming season. No more sadly.
Heat and afternoon time aside, I had already decided in advance, on the basis of the 2013 version, and the indication that this year would be more of the same, not to bother making the long trek to Melbourne for this day. From descriptions it certainly sounds like I was not alone in taking this position.

If the club wishes to optimise this event's potential to be a regular and ongoing chance to promote the club, I believe they need to seriously rethink their commitment to this event, otherwise within a very short time it is likely to go the way of the dodo.

Good post paulv. Maybe you could email the East West Club with your suggestion or if anyone else has any ideas to improve the day in future.

Here is the email: east-west@westernbulldogs.com.au

[always right]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

Sorry but I don't think it is just down to the heat. Except perhaps for the really young kids sakes, I found last year really disappointing. I had travelled to Melb. for years to attend this event.
If they want to keep the numbers up, and get the most out of this day for Club and membership promotion, I believe they need to return to it being a day with something for ALL supporters, not just a short kindergarten visit by a few players.

In the past this day served as a season opener for lots of supporters, and a chance to get to see and know something about the squad as it would be for the upcoming season. No more sadly.
Heat and afternoon time aside, I had already decided in advance, on the basis of the 2013 version, and the indication that this year would be more of the same, not to bother making the long trek to Melbourne for this day. From descriptions it certainly sounds like I was not alone in taking this position.

If the club wishes to optimise this event's potential to be a regular and ongoing chance to promote the club, I believe they need to seriously rethink their commitment to this event, otherwise within a very short time it is likely to go the way of the dodo.

I thought last year was great.....apart from the decision to run the kids clinic. The young kids may love it but I much prefer the old East West morning where the players went through a light training session. Watching the players move, see whose body shape had changed in the off season, marvelling at their skills.......it's a great time of year where you see the players at their best, we haven't lost a game, and we can all enjoy a morning where we all believe that this season is going to be so much better than the last.

Not sure why they stopped the training session.....would love to see it come back.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

I thought last year was great.....apart from the decision to run the kids clinic. The young kids may love it but I much prefer the old East West morning where the players went through a light training session. Watching the players move, see whose body shape had changed in the off season, marvelling at their skills.......it's a great time of year where you see the players at their best, we haven't lost a game, and we can all enjoy a morning where we all believe that this season is going to be so much better than the last.

Not sure why they stopped the training session.....would love to see it come back.

Interesting the website said there was an open training session on this morning at WO. Strange they couldn't have combined it like you said AR. Also I think the Event should be held closer to round 1.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

Sorry but I don't think it is just down to the heat. Except perhaps for the really young kids sakes, I found last year really disappointing. I had travelled to Melb. for years to attend this event.
If they want to keep the numbers up, and get the most out of this day for Club and membership promotion, I believe they need to return to it being a day with something for ALL supporters, not just a short kindergarten visit by a few players.

In the past this day served as a season opener for lots of supporters, and a chance to get to see and know something about the squad as it would be for the upcoming season. No more sadly.
Heat and afternoon time aside, I had already decided in advance, on the basis of the 2013 version, and the indication that this year would be more of the same, not to bother making the long trek to Melbourne for this day. From descriptions it certainly sounds like I was not alone in taking this position.

If the club wishes to optimise this event's potential to be a regular and ongoing chance to promote the club, I believe they need to seriously rethink their commitment to this event, otherwise within a very short time it is likely to go the way of the dodo.

Could not agree more Paulv.
I say now I will consider not going next year but come this time again next year I am sure I will turn up again as I cannot help myself.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

Although I agree that today was not as well coordinated this year than previous, the four of us still really enjoyed ourselves. Especially good chats with our president, Peter, down to one of our newest in Mitch Honeychurch, who seems a really good young lad. It so happens that we, along with Alex Greenwood, went to the same secondary college and lived in neighbouring streets along with having similar teachers so it was good to make the connection.

The players in attendance were giving of their time, through their participation in the kids clinics and in their willingness for a general chat. Some of the players I came across in my travels today were Boydy, Gia, Will, Crammers, Big Tom, Jackson Macrae, Tommy Young, Nathan Hrovat, Easton, Redpath, Mitch Honeychurch, Alex Greenwood, Lin Jong. I suspect that there were others.

I would like to pay special tribute to Marcus Bontempelli with the way he handled himself with the kids and the clinic he ended up running by himself. He was thoroughly engaging and obliging with the young ones, who were having an absolute blast taking 'speccies' into and at times over him as he held onto some padding quite feebly to soften the impact. I was joking that it would be one of the rarer ways for a player to go down in a preseason and a harder one to live down. For his first out experience at such an event Marcus shined through.

I do agree that it would have been a good thing to have introduced, as they have previously, the players to the audience and it was a shame that Macca was not there on this occasion. I'm sure there is a good reason as he typically is a good supporter of such outings.

It was damn hot out there today so happy to afford the organisers some slack. What to me is more disappointing is the lack of Western Bulldog Easterners prepared to put in a couple of hours to show our commitment to the players and Club. Why should we expect the players to 'totally' buy into it with what seemed fewer than a couple of hundred supporters in attendance.

For mine, still a great couple of hours spent and thanks again to the East West Club for putting it on.

First year i haven't been there and that was because my wife was in hospital giving birth but i thought last year wasn't really of any interest to me without the boys doing any training. I'm not really interested in the kids clinics yet and really getting to know the players. I want to see them run around and see with my own eyes who's looking fit and which of the new kids looks a talent.

Without that it's just the same old routine which i already know too well.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

First year i haven't been there and that was because my wife was in hospital giving birth but i thought last year wasn't really of any interest to me without the boys doing any training. I'm not really interested in the kids clinics yet and really getting to know the players. I want to see them run around and see with my own eyes who's looking fit and which of the new kids looks a talent.

Without that it's just the same old routine which i already know too well.

Congratulations on the new born, another member coming up.

[Doc26]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

First year i haven't been there and that was because my wife was in hospital giving birth but i thought last year wasn't really of any interest to me without the boys doing any training. I'm not really interested in the kids clinics yet and really getting to know the players. I want to see them run around and see with my own eyes who's looking fit and which of the new kids looks a talent.

Without that it's just the same old routine which i already know too well.

Congrats also on the birth.

Firstly, I don't disagree with the sentiment coming through.

The East West Club with limited resources, and who volunteer their time, should first be applauded for their endeavor to make this a memorable day for the kids and their parents without the full support of the Club behind them. I'm certain it's no easy feat to pull together. Maybe I'm easily pleased but I'm grateful for anything Bulldogs out East given the dearth of representation over the years out here.

What I would like to see is for the Club to look into the potential of broadening the reach of this event to become a key membership enabler for those in particular that reside out in the Eastern part of Victoria, whether with children or without, and by extension take the planning and execution of the event over from the East West Club.

Isn't Hawthorn big and ugly enough now to give them yet another head start each year in their marketing stronghold in the East of Melbourne ?

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: 2014 East Meets West Family Day

First year i haven't been there and that was because my wife was in hospital giving birth but i thought last year wasn't really of any interest to me without the boys doing any training. I'm not really interested in the kids clinics yet and really getting to know the players. I want to see them run around and see with my own eyes who's looking fit and which of the new kids looks a talent.

Without that it's just the same old routine which i already know too well.

Congratulations Cyberdog, I hope that your wife is recovering well and that we have another cyberdog on the way.