Sheedy in Hunter Region, a Giant Hit

Four-time premiership coach with Essendon, and AFL Hall of Famer, Kevin Sheedy, has visited the Hunter region this week, in a bid to rally support for Australian Rules in the area.

Sheedy arrived in the region on Tuesday, spending time visiting local schools and sporting academies to build support for the Victorian dominated game.

The inaugural coach of the Giants had a strong message for the region – “the voice of AFL in the Hunter is starting to be heard further south.”

Sheedy’s visit to the region coincides with the drafting of Maitland local, Isaac Heeney to the Swans, earlier in the week.

Heeney, who was part of the Sydney Swans Academy over the past couple of years, was taken by the Swans at the AFL Academy Bidding Meeting, using the Swans first round draft pick (pick 17).

Sheedy spoke to students at Hunter Sport High on Wednesday, and spoke about leadership and pathways in AFL, and AFL communities.

He also held an event on Wednesday night at the Nelson Bay Golf Club, where he addressed the audience on business ideas and innovations, related to the AFL.

Sheedy drew on his 13 years of playing experience, and over three decades of coaching prowess in highlighting the importance of innovation and improvement, not only in AFL, but also in business.

The Hall of Famer drew on examples such as, “Dreamtime at the ‘G”, and the now annual, “Anzac Day Match” – events on the AFL calendar in which Sheedy was monumental in developing and facilitating.

AFL NSW/ACT Regional Manager for the Hunter and Central Coast, Simon Smyth, said that it was a massive occasion for the Region.

“To have someone like Kevin come to the region is just massive,” said Smyth.
“He has such an aura… Even people in the area who don’t know too much about the game, or who don’t follow it closely, know who Kevin Sheedy is.

“So to have him here talking to our community, it’s inspiring,” said Smyth.

Sheedy’s announcement to the Hunter community that NSW, and particularly the Hunter region is ready to blow right into the AFL system with players from the Northern States, has left AFL communities around the state, champing at the bit to get into season 2015.

Photo courtesy The Newcastle Herald

To read more, visit: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2613355/sheedy-in-the-hunter-to-spread-the-afl-gospel/?cs=306