Son of a gun: St Joseph’s Primary School student Mila Cottam under the watchful eye of Jackson Archer during the clinic component of the primary schools visit to Kangaroos headquarters at Arden St. The 19-year-old son of legendary “shinboner of the century” Glenn Archer played three games last year. Photos: North Melbourne Football Club
Students and teachers from Rochester were the guests of honour at the North Melbourne Football Club this week with the Kangaroos hosting the group for a special visit at Arden St.
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More than 200 students and teachers from Rochester Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School, Rochester, made the trip down for a day full of footballing activities.
The visit came about thanks to St Joe’s PS teacher and North Melbourne fan Jerrod Davison, who reached out to The Huddle, North’s community arm.
Take a knee: Charlie Lazzaro offers Rochester Primary School prep student Hunter WIlkins some advice. Twenty-year-old Lazzaro debuted in 2021 and has played 12 senior games with the Kangaroos.
Country connection: Jy Simpkin grew up in Mooroopna, which like Rochester was impacted heavily by floods in October. He is sharing a lighter moment with Harrison Wilkins and Cooper Rasmussen in the Kangaroos theatre at Arden St. Simpkin has won the last two Syd Barker Medals as the best and fairest player for North Melbourne and is a co-vice captain with the club.
Students were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of North Melbourne’s facilities, getting to check out the change rooms, player lecture rooms and recovery facilities.
They also got to take part in drills and games on the field, including goal-kicking lessons and an agility course.
Students also got a close-up chance to interact with the AFL and AFLW players including Luke McDonald, Jy Simpkin, Erika O’Shea, Emma Kearney, Aidan Corr, Cam Zurhaar, Aidan Corr, Flynn Perez, Jackson Archer, Eddie Ford and Charlie Lazzaro.
The players signed autographs before being put in the spotlight as the kids got to ask them questions during special Q&A sessions.
North Melbourne was not the only organisation that the Rochester students got to interact with.
Melbourne City and Melbourne United also hosted special soccer and basketball sessions at the multi-purpose facilities at North Melbourne, while the Country Women’s Association provided lunch on the day.
It was the second time kids from Rochester got a chance to rub shoulders with North Melbourne players following the flooding that hit the town.
Corr and Rochester local and 200-gamer for the Kangaroos Shaun Atley played kick-to-kick with kids in Rochy while helping with the clean-up efforts.
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