Cats cross the border

As part of the AFL’s annual Australia Post Community Camps, 30 players from the Geelong Cats spent two days visiting schools and football clubs in Victorian and NSW border towns.

Over 270 people attended the official dinner for the Cats players at Barooga Sports Club on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, Harry Taylor, Jed Bews and Jesse Stringer visited 150 students at Tocumwal Public School while Tom Hawkins, Josh Cowan and Jackson Thurlow paid a visit to Finley Public School in Hawkins’ home town.

Josh Caddy, Josh Cowan and Cameron Guthrie also signed autographs and spoke to more than 120 students at Berrigan Public School.

“AFL NSW/ACT is truly grateful to the Geelong Football club for allowing their players to cross the border and greet the keen families of southern NSW,” said Marc Geppert, Participation Manager for southern NSW.

“To have over 270 people at the official dinner, it really does indicate how strong AFL is in those regions.

“The Geelong Football club and their players were true professionals and were always keen to go above and beyond to get the job done.”

The Australia Post AFL Community Camps have seen more than 800 AFL players take the game to regional and rural communities all across Australia.

“A huge thank you must go to Greg Liddell and Trevor Mellington from AFL Victoria for allowing the Cobram Community camp to feed into the southern NSW towns of Berrigan, Barooga, Finley and Tocumwal,” Geppert said.

“And a thank you to Andrew Richardson from AFL NSW/ACT for pulling it all together.”

Sydney Swans fans will have the opportunity to meet their favourite players as the entire playing list visits Wollongong, Bowral, Newcastle, Armidale, Forster, Gosford, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and areas of Sydney on February 18 and 19.

Click here for some more photos from the Cats’ visit to southern NSW.