THE Western Bulldogs are ready to relish a special homecoming next week when they revisit Ballarat for an AFL Community Camp.<\/p>\n
Considered as their home away from home, the Bulldogs have played at least one game per season in Ballarat since 2017 and sometimes two.<\/p>\n
They boast a continuous presence in the city through their burgeoning partnership with the City of Ballarat and State Government through renowned programs such as the health and wellbeing-focused Sons of the West and Daughters of the West, and naming rights sponsorship of the Ballarat Football Netball League\u2019s under-8s competition.<\/p>\n
Ever eager to extend their reach into Ballarat, the Bulldogs will embrace fans and football followers across two days of activities next Tuesday and Wednesday, highlighted by school visits, an AFL Super Clinic and an open training session, the latter two at Mars Stadium.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs\u2019 Ballarat engagement officer, Campbell Waring, said while the players always looked forward to visiting their second home, the timing of this community camp was significant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not playing games here next year, but it\u2019s good we are still able to come to town,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a real thrill for the kids when the players come to Ballarat and they might go to their school.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they get up close and personal to the players and ask them questions, the impact it has on the kids is fantastic. They get to hear what inspired them to be an AFL footballer and about their preparation before a game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really lucky in Ballarat to have had this opportunity for a couple of years now, to have these community camps in town.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain, because we are not playing a game here next year, this camp is a real focus for the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs will visit 33 schools in the Ballarat area, with more appearances across the two days scheduled for Maryborough and Lake Boga.<\/p>\n
While there will be no AFL game played in Ballarat next season due to the ongoing redevelopment of Mars Stadium, Waring said the club was already looking forward to returning for two games in 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the long run \u2013 especially for our fans and our members \u2013 having those better amenities (at Mars Stadium) will be fantastic for the local community and everyone within the AFL,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we\u2019ve extended the contract out to 2027 and \u201928 for our Ballarat faithful.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it is our second home, we have a year-long presence here anyway.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been here 10 years now and have a lot of partnerships and stakeholders now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think with the game that happened this year with Port Adelaide, people have come to terms with being without a game next year, but in the long run, (the increased capacity) is going to be valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 150 youngsters, aged five to 12 years, had registered for Tuesday\u2019s Super Clinic by early Wednesday this week.<\/p>\n
Waring said there was still plenty of room for more youngsters to join the fun and to hone their skills and learn some tips from their favourite Bulldogs players.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve had one of our Super Clinics on Mars Stadium, which will be a real buzz for the kids to be running around on an oval that hosts AFL games,\u201d Waring said.<\/p>\n
A 90-minute open training session on Wednesday will give supporters the chance to watch the Bulldogs squad go through their paces.<\/p>\n
It will be one of the first opportunities for fans to see the club\u2019s new batch of draftees, Lachlan Carmichael (taken with pick 21), Louis Emmett (pick 27) and father-son selection Will Darcy, in action.<\/p>\n
A free coaching education session on Tuesday at 6.30pm will give local coaches an insight into coaching at the elite level from Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade and development coach Anthony Barry, also at Mars Stadium.<\/p>\n
BALLARAT COME AND PLAY SUPER CLINIC<\/p>\n
Where: Mars Stadium (725 Creswick Road, Wendouree).<\/p>\n
When: Tuesday 2 December, 4.30pm to 5.30pm (includes autograph signing session).<\/p>\n
Registration is free, but places are strictly limited for children aged five to 12 years.<\/p>\n