TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE

TIGERS NEWS December 2006
HISTORY for SALE!

Information Update from the Chook Shed

New Faces

On the Coaching scene and as previously advised, the Club welcomes new Reserve Grade Coach Jamie McGinley to the Club for 2006. In addition, another new face assisting the Reserve Grade will be that of Shaun OÍReilly, being a former player and coach at Harman and more recently at Weston Creek.

Development Officer

Commencing in the position of Development Officer in late January 2006 is Brendan Ward who has just completed twelve months as an AFL Trainee with the NSW / ACT Development Programs.

Brendan joins the Tigers Club and will be responsible for the conduct and management of school clinics in and around the Queanbeyan District.

Even though Brendan is a current Tuggeranong Hawks player he is no stranger to the Tigers Club as he has been a recipient of two scholarships from the South East Region Academy of Sport (SERAS) of which the Tigers Club sponsor the AFL component.

Most schools in the District have confirmed clinics for 2006 in term one which will culminate in a 3/4 and 5/6 Carnival at the conclusion of the term.

Pictured: The Tigers new development Officer Brendan Ward

Training

A strong group of players from all three grades have been working hard each Tuesday and Thursday during the month of December in preparation for 2006 under the watchful eye of Coach Mark Armstrong and Conditioner David Matheson. Prior to December, Matho conducted many individual programs since the completion of the season. Our regular training sessions conclude on Tuesday 21 December and recommence onWednesday 11 January 2006.

New Players to the District

The Club is always on the look out for new players. Players moving to the area are encouraged to join the Tigers Club ¿ one of the most successful sporting organisations in the District. Our 1st Grade team has participated in the past 24 consecutive finals series with 16 Grand Final appearances from the last 21 AFL Canberra Grand Finals.

Our Senior Ranks include teams in the 1st, Reserve and Under 18 Grade Competitions of AFL Canberra with an affiliation arrangement with the Harman HoggÍs who have teams in both 1st and 2nd Divisions of the Canberra District League. The HoggÍs being Coached in 2006 by former Tigers player Cambell Griggs.

New players wishing to inquire about playing for either the Tigers or the Hoggs can contact the Clubs Football Manager Ron Fowlie on 0419 280764.

Queanbeyan High School EliteSchool Sports Program

TheQueanbeyanHigh Schooland the Tigers Club are pleased to announce an Elite Sports Program in 2006 to be organised by specialist coaches from the Tigers Club and the NSW / ACT Development Staff ¿ see separate story.

Sports Medicine Trainers

Our Junior Organisation - in conjunction with the Tigers Senior Sports Medicine team of volunteers - are seeking expressions of interest from parents who may be interested in gaining accreditation in Sports Medicine. To qualify for any type of accreditation, each individual must have completed a First Aid Course and in this regard the Club will conduct this course when at least 10 individuals have nominated themselves with an expression of interest. Please contact Jordan Longmore on 0404 865 569.

Junior Tigers Annual General Meeting

The Tigers Annual General Meeting of its Junior Organisation will be conducted on 25 January 2006at the Licensed Club. Nominations are welcome. Currently the following are on the committee: President ¿ Judy Mustard, Vice President ¿ Andrew Beer, Treasurer ¿ Phil McClure, Alanna Beer, Allan Mapleson, Ivan Parrett, Dane Miller and Nicole Bright.

Player Losses for 2006

Unfortunately the Tigers will lose a number of senior grade players from the 2005 list including ACT representative players James Geale and Jack Charlton. In addition Jason Thomas and Michael Doyle are also expected departures.

On the positive side is the return of Chris Walmsley who has spent the last two seasons playing in the AFL Sydney competition with Wollongongand the expected return of Ryan Quade on a full time basis from the Sydney Swans Reserves.

Right - Ryan Quade (pictured with parents Lyn and Brian) returns to the Tigers Club in 2006 after a successful stint with Sydney Swans Reserves. The Club is hopeful of announcing a few other signings in the new year.

Luke Ellis, Matt Liddle, Steve MacPherson and Scott Dickinson should all return from long term injuries suffered in 2005.

Unfortunately Tom Hollis and Duncan McLeod will miss the entire 2006 Season due to shoulder surgery.

Left¿ Tigers 2004 Best and Fairest Jack Charlton ¿ an expected departure for 2006.

Margaret Donoghoe Sportsground Improvements

The Tigers continue to improve facilities at its home ground with the latest acquisition being the installation of a PA system funded by the Tigers Major Financial Contributor ¿ the Tigers Licensed Club. The system was in full use at the ChildrenÍs Christmas Party and will be a tremendous acquisition for all home games next year. A new deck area alongside theAdministrationBuildingwill also be in full use next year with members of the Growlers Club expected to be in full voice from this position.

The Tigers new deck area at the side of the Administration Building

Tigers Commence training - 2006

The Tigers commenced official training in preparation for the 2006 AFL Canberra Season with approx 50 players attending the first training session last Wednesday evening under the threat of storms and strong winds. Fortunately, weather conditions cooled down for the initial training session after high temperatures during the week threatened to place enormous pressure on certain individuals who had too much pudding over the Christmas / New Year break.

New faces were not a feature of the session, with the Club intent on relying heavily on the majority of last years players from the three teams which participated in their respective finals series.

It was tremendous to see Coach Mark Armstrongtraining strongly after recuperating over the off season from a broken leg suffered in the third last match of the 2005 season. Coach Mark Armstrong is expected to have a complete recover after suffering a broken leg last year.
Matt Liddle The return of Matt Liddle - who also suffered a broken leg mid last season is welcomed. Easily one of the most improved players in the League Matt commenced playing the game in his late teens after a promising career in basketball. Matt Liddle also returning after suffering a broken leg in 2005.
Luke Ellis On the comeback trail is former League leading goalkicker Luke Ellis. A champion player for the Tigers since joining the Club through the NSW / ACT RAMS program via Glenelg four years ago, Luke has been hampered with knee soreness since an operation early last season. The birth of  Luke and his partner'shis first child probably accounts for the shedding of a few kilos and we look forward to seeing his outstanding skills in 2006. Luke Ellis in action against Tuggeranong Hawks.
Josh Davis Speaking of shedding a few kilos ¿ Josh Davis is certainly looking the goods. This bloke could be anything given a strong pre season. Hampered by injury over the past three years, the ñformerî big bloke is looking to re- establishing himself as one of the most talented strong marking forward line players in the business.
Ryan Quade   One of the Tigers favourite ñsonsî, Ryan Quade will be back in the black and gold full time this year after being a rookie player for the Sydney Swans Reserves last season and a member of their AFL Canberra 2005 Premiership team. Ryno was certainly enjoying the occasion at training amongst many of his former team mates at the first session. Ryan Quade returning to the Tigers after being a member of theSydneySwans Reserve Grade AFL Canberra Premiership team.
Steve MacPhearson A broken ankle early last year put an abrupt end to youngster Steve MacPhearsonÍs first year at the Tigers after joining the Club fromMaristCollege. Many commented at training the level of enthusiasm and friendship this young bloke shows to ñall and sundryî and hopefully we see this talented youngster show what he can do in 2006. Steve MacPhearson returns after a broken ankle last year.
Current Harman Hoggs players Ian Ferns, Jim Neill and former Tigers player Michael Thurling ¿ were ñnewî faces at the first training session along with Callum Dean, a promising youngster from the Bathurst Bushrangers whose enthusiasm over the off season to join the Tigers Club is sure to bring success for this young lad. Unfortunately off season surgery to Tom Hollis, Duncan McLeod and Chris Haddock will see them miss most if not all of the 2006 season, Haddock being the latest casualty of 2005 succumbing to a major knee operation in early December. Promising former U18 player Michael Beer is another yet to return to training after suffering a shoulder injury late last season.

The Tigers home ground ¿ the Margaret Donoghoe Sportsground ¿ will be unavailable for training for at least six weeks with a new sprinkler system being installed by the Queanbeyan City Council. Alternate training venues have been organised with notification of these venues available by phoning the Football Office on 62993467.  The ground is not expected to be available for games until the third round of the 2006 AFL Canberra competition.