5th Quarter Camps a massive hit

Author Name: jacklynch | Posted 4:00 pm on Thursday 5th October, 2023

Photo: Phil Hillyard

By Tilly Werner

Some Sydney’s brightest AFL and AFLW stars converged on GIANTS HQ across two days this week in Sydney Olympic Park to work with more than 300 kids to grow their footy skills for the first 5th Quarter Camps event.

The clinic, aimed at kids aged between 6-16 is the brainchild of GIANTS captain and 2023 All Australian captain, Toby Greene, and Sydney Swans superstar, Isaac Heeney. The pair enlisted their teammates and AFL NSW/ACT coaches to pass on some elite skills and knowledge to the participants.

“It was very hectic but it was awesome, there’s been so many smiles hopefully we’ll hear some great feedback,” Toby Greene said.

“The AFL NSW/ACT coaches helped so much and it was great having players from the GIANTS and Swans to help out.”

Greene was joined by fellow GIANTS players Tom Green, Toby Bedford and Connor Idun who partnered with their on-field opponents Hayden McLean, Robbie Fox, Nick Blakey and Luke Parker from the Swans. It was a wonderful sight, seeing players put aside their rivalries to help grow the game at a community level in New South Wales.

AFLW stars Alyce Parker (GIANTS) and Chloe Molloy (Sydney Swans) have played a role in the promotion of 5th Quarter Camps brought their teammates along, Bella Smith, Montana Ham from the Swans, and Katherine Smith (GIANTS) also played coaching roles on the days.

“We signed a few hats and shirts at the end and everyone said they really loved it – there were a lot of happy parents,” Greene said.

Participants came from across Greater Sydney, Hunter and the Illawarra across one or both days and were treated to elite skills development that catered to allcomers.

From snapping and kicking for distance, to AFL-level techniques for defending set shots, the participants left with plenty more footy IQ and memories with their favourite AFL and AFLW players.