Staff Appointments

I am pleased to announce that the appointment of Hamish Ogilvie and Gareth Parker has completed our AIS/AFL Academy staffing for this 8th intake.

Hamish has accepted the role of AFL Skills Coach and will work with our scholarship holder’s in their AFL development and then in our international rules performances against Ireland in April. Hamish is currently with AFL Tasmania and has coached both the U16 and U18 squads at the AFL National Championships.

Gareth has been appointed to the International Rules series as our referee and will now join us over the next two camps. Gareth, from WA, is an aspiring AFL umpire whom I am sure will be a valuable member of our team.


Confirmed Flight Itineraries for Camp 2

All athletes and staff are to please check the following schedule as there have been some changes to that which was published in the October Newsletter.

Terry WHEELER, John WASSELL Booking Ref: YKSE86
6 December (QF 812 CBR/MEL Dep: 1.10pm Arr: 2.10pm)
10 December (QF 763 MEL/CBR Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am)

Daniel DZUFER, Rhan HOOPER, Brent RENOUF, Shaun TAPP, Shaun HAMPSON Booking Ref: YKSJWI
6 December (QF 525 BNE/SYD Dep: 11.10pm Arr: 1.40pm) (QF 1431 SYD/CBR Dep: 3.05pm Arr: 3.55pm)
10 December (QF950 MEL/BNE Dep: 8.35am Arr: 9.10am)

Lindsay TRIGAR Booking Ref: YDKRX3
6 December (QF 541 BNE/SYD Dep: 3.10pm Arr: 5.40pm) (QF 1439 SYD/CBR Dep: 6.15pm Arr: 7.05pm)
10 December (QF950 MEL/BNE Dep: 8.35am Arr: 9.10am)

Josh MEISELBACH Booking Ref: YQ97V2
6 December (QF 2226 WGA/SYD Dep: 1.00pm Arr: 2.05pm) (QF 1431 SYD/CBR Dep: 3.05pm Arr: 3.55pm)
10 December (QF 704 CBR/SYD Dep: 9.40am Arr: 10.30am) (QF 2225 SYD/WGA Dep: 11.30am Arr: 12.40pm)

Edward WILSON Booking Ref: ZXNQFB
6 December (ZL 519 PKE/SYD Dep: 10.30am Arr: 11.25am) (QF 1431 SYD/CBR Dep: 3.05pm Arr: 3.55pm)
10 December (QF 704 CBR/SYD Dep: 9.40am Arr: 10.30am) (ZL 526 SYD/PKE Dep: 3.35pm Arr: 4.30pm)

Jon CHEETHAM, Alex HUTCHINS, Travis VARCOE, Ben ARBON Booking Ref: YQSCO9
6 December (QF 684 ADL/MEL Dep: 1.05pm Arr: 2.50pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (QF 683 MEL/ADL Dep: 12.40pm Arr: 1.30pm)

Tim HUTCHISON Booking Ref: YQR862
6 December (UQ 202 MGB/ADL Dep: 10.30am Arr: 11.30am) (QF 684 ADL/MEL Dep: 1.05pm Arr: 2.50pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (UQ 403 MEL/MGB Dep: 3.15pm Arr: 4.25pm)

Grant BIRCHALL, Tom HISLOP, Mitchell THORP Booking Ref: YQTP8S
6 December (QF 2712 DPO/MEL Dep: 10.05am Arr: 11.20am) (QF 818 MEL/CBR Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (QF 2717 MEL/DPO Dep: 12.40pm Arr: 1.55pm)

Heath NEVILLE Booking Ref: YQ847E
6 December (JQ 30 HBA/MEL Dep: 12.40pm Arr: 1.50pm) (QF 818 MEL/CBR Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (JQ 29 MEL/HBA Dep: 12.40pm Arr: 1.50pm)

Hamish OGILVIE Booking Ref: YKDN7O
6 December (JQ 30 HBA/MEL Dep: 12.40pm Arr: 1.50pm) (QF 818 MEL/CBR Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (JQ 29 MEL/HBA Dep: 12.40pm Arr: 1.50pm)

Clinton BENJAMIN, Clayton COLLARD, Grae GRANT, Scott GUMBLETON, Leroy JETTA, Matthew LEUENBERGER, Eric MACKENZIE, Matt RIGGIO, Justin SIMPSON, Jacob WILLIAMS Booking Ref: YT93XB
6 December (QF 762 PER/MEL Dep: 8.00am Arr: 2.35pm) (QF 818 MEL/CBR Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (QF 769 MEL/PER Dep: 12.10pm Arr: 1.05pm)

Garry MOSS Booking Ref: YQT849
6 December (QF 762 PER/MEL Dep: 8.00am Arr: 2.35pm) (QF 818 MEL/CBR Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)

Gareth PARKER Booking Ref: YDKUAG
6 December (QF 762 PER/MEL Dep: 8.00am Arr: 2.35pm) (QF 818 MEL/CBR Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
8 December (QF 719 CBR/PER Dep: 7.20pm Arr: 9.00pm)

Patrick RYDER Booking Ref: YQT849
5 December (XR 118 GET/PER Dep: 7.00pm Arr: 8.05pm)
6 December (QF 762 PER/MEL Dep: 8.00am Arr: 2.35pm) (QF 818 MEL/CBR Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (QF 769 MEL/PER Dep: 12.10pm Arr: 1.05pm) (XR 115 PER/GET Dep: 3.30pm Arr: 4.35pm)
10 December (XR 115 PER/GET Dep: 3.30pm Arr: 4.35pm)

Pat GERRY Booking Ref: YQTUOJ
6 December (QF 957 BNE/CBR Dep: 2.25pm Arr: 5.15pm)
7 December (QF 795 CBR/MEL Dep: 6.25am Arr: 7.30am)

Nathan DJERRKURA, Joshua CUBILLO Booking Ref: YQTW47
6 December (QF 801/709 DWN/CNS/BNE Dep: 6.00am Arr: 12.25pm) (QF 957 BNE/CBR Dep: 2.25pm Arr: 5.15pm)
10 December (QF 763 CBR/MEL Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am) (QF 695/760MEL/ADL/DWN Dep: 5.10pm Arr: 9.45pm)

Clint BARTRAM, Travis BOAK, Robert EDDY, Xavier ELLIS, Shaun GRIGG, Lachlan HANSEN, Sara MULKEARN, Marc MURPHY, Shane NEAVES, Matt TYLER Booking Ref: YQUHLO
6 December (QF 818 CBR/MEL Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
10 December (QF 763 MEL/CBR Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am)

Ryan ANDERSON, Dr Michael MAKDISSI, Joel SELWOOD, Danny STANLEY, James WALL, Robert WARNOCK Booking Ref: YQUHLO
6 December (QF 818 CBR/MEL Dep: 3.25pm Arr: 4.25pm)
10 December (QF 763 MEL/CBR Dep: 10.00am Arr: 11.05am)


AFL Club Induction Week

As you are aware arrangements are underway with AFL clubs for our Induction program in January (Monday 10 – Thursday 13).

Club Athletes
Adelaide Travis Varcoe Jon Cheetham
Brisbane Marc Murphy Daniel Dzufer
Carlton Rhan Hooper Travis Boak
Collingwood James Bennett Grae Grant
Essendon Tom Hislop Clint Bartram
Fremantle Eric Mackenzie Clinton Benjamin
Geelong Danny Stanley Joel Selwood
Hawthorn
Kangaroos Patrick Ryder Mitchell Thorp
Melbourne Grant Birchall Matt Tyler
Port Adelaide Alex Hutchins Matt Riggio
Richmond Ryan Anderson Lachlan Hansen
St Kilda Xavier Ellis Scott Gumbelton
Sydney Leroy Jetta Garry Moss
West Coast Clayton Collard Justin Simpson
Western Bulldogs Robert Eddy Shaun Grigg

Arrangements for Victorian AFL Clubs

Accommodation:


Athletes, doing the AFL Induction Program with a Victorian club, will all be staying with me at:

VRC Education and Training Centre
400 Epsom Road
Flemington
Telephone: (03) 9258 4620 (Business hours)
Melways Ref Map 28 G12
Terry’s Mobile:0407 057 901

I would appreciate it if Victorian parents could drop their son off at 6.00pm on Sunday 9 January. We should have returned from the airport with the interstate athletes and I will then take them all out for some dinner.

Geelong Arrangements:

The Stanley’s have offered to accommodate Joel Selwood down at their place and Stephen Wells, Geelong FC, will assist with transport.

Arrangements for WA, SA, NSW and Qld AFL Clubs

WA Arrangements:


Thanks to Irene and Peter Simpson and to Desley and Bill Mackenzie for offering accommodation to Clayton Collard and Clinton Benjamin respectively, for the 4 nights. Transport arrangements will be made with Trevor Woodhouse of the West Coast Eagles and with Brett Dawkins of the Dockers.

SA Arrangements:

Kathy and James Hutchins are pleased to have Matt Riggio stay with them and transport arrangements will be made with Mick Moylan of the Port Adelaide FC.
And Helen and Anthony Cheetham are happy to have Travis Varcoe stay with them and James Fantasia, Adelaide FC, will asssist with transport.

Sydney Swans:

Ric Barham, Recruiting Manager with the Swans, will meet with Leroy and Garry at the Canberra camp and we will set up contact with Julie-Ann Clift and Peter Jonas who will look after the boys while they are in Sydney.

Brisbane Lions:

The Dzufer’s have offered to accommodate Marc Murphy. Shane Johnson from the Lions will be assisting with the daily transport.



Flights for Induction Program and Camp 3

The specific details of these flights will be confirmed in the December Newsletter but they will be something like:

Saturday 8 January
Geraldton / Perth Dep: 6.00pm Arr: 7.05pm

Sunday 9 January
Perth / Adelaide Dep: 10.00 am Arr: 3.20pm
Perth / Melbourne Dep: 10.10 am Arr: 4.35pm
Devonport / Melbourne Dep: 3.45pm Arr: 5.00 pm
Brisbane / Melbourne Dep: 1.50pm Arr: 5.05pm
Perth / Sydney Dep: 8.50 am Arr: 4.00pm

Wednesday 12 January
Darwin / Melbourne Dep: 12 noon Arr: 7.00pm

Thursday 13 January
Perth / Melbourne Dep: 10.10 am Arr: 4.35pm
Adelaide / Melbourne Dep: 2.05pm Arr: 3.50pm
Brisbane / Melbourne Dep: 12.50pm Arr: 4.05pm
Hobart / Melbourne Dep: 2.20pm Arr: 3.30pm
Mt Gambier / Melb Dep: 9.50 am Arr: 11.15 am
Wagga / Sydney Dep: 9.40 am Arr: 10.45 am
Parkes / Sydney Dep: 10.30 am Arr: 11.25 am
Sydney / Melbourne Dep: 2.00pm Arr: 3.30pm

Monday 17 January 2005
Melbourne / Perth Dep: 3.10pm Arr: 4.15pm
Perth / Geraldton Dep: 5.30 pm Arr: 6.35 pm
Melbourne / Hobart Dep: 4.05pm Arr: 5.15 pm
Melbourne / Devonport Dep: 4.00pm Arr: 5.15 pm
Melbourne / Brisbane Dep: 4.05pm Arr: 5.10pm
Melb / Mt Gambier Dep: 3.15 pm Arr: 3.50pm
Melbourne / Adelaide Dep: 3.15 pm Arr: 4.05 pm
Melbourne / Sydney Dep: 4.00 pm Arr: 5.20 pm
Sydney / Wagga Dep: 7.10 pm arr: 8.20 pm
Sydney / Parkes Dep: 6.55 pm Arr: 7.50 pm



School and Study

I have recently made contact with the schools of all athletes. They have been asked to complete a brief report on your attitude and academic progress to date and to identify any concerns they may have for the 2005 schooling year.
All athletes are aware that this monitoring is to take place and that this will be reviewed during camps 2 and 3.
This is part of the AIS/AFL Academy’s commitment to all athletes fulfilling their potential both on and off the football field.



A Letter to Parents

From Dr Michael Makdissi our AIS/AFL Academy Physician



Dear Parents,

We would like to use the camp in December to up date the immunization status of the AIS/AFL Academy athletes. It is proposed that we catch up any immunizations that have been missed as well as provide Meningococcus and influenza vaccinations for all.

I have provided some general information about the vaccinations as well as some of the more common infections and why we think that it is important to prevent them. Please read this as it may answer any questions that you may have.

We are please to also offer these immunizations to the 15 additional athletes attending camp 2. If you have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to call me.

If Terry does not receive a Vaccination Request fax from you, we will assume that they are not required.

Kind regards

Dr. Michael Makdissi
(Ph: 0412 433 501)



Vaccines

Vaccines are injections given to prevent common and potentially serious illnesses caused by a number of different viruses or bacteria. They work by taking advantage of the bodies natural defense systems. Overall they allow the body to recognize the invading bacteria or virus quickly and eliminate it before it has a chance to cause illness.

Are there any risks or side effects?

Side effects from the injection are usually mild and disappear quickly. Some of the more common ones include:

* Mild pain, tenderness or swelling at the site of the injection
* Fever, mild joint pain or feeling unwell for a few days after the injection
* Headaches or nausea

Most of these can be managed with simple pain killers such as panadol.

Serious side effects or complications are extremely rare but include:
* Allergic reactions to the injection.

The vaccines used in Australia contain a modified part of the virus or bacteria (you can’t catch the infection from the vaccine). They are usually produced in yeast cells and are free of animal or human blood or blood products.

Who will administer the vaccine?

Dr. Michael Makdissi (AIS/AFL Academy team doctor) will be giving the vaccines during Melbourne camp. If a follow-up injection is needed, it will be organized at the time.

How much will it cost?

All vaccinations and appropriate personnel will be provided by the AIS/AFL Academy.

Is it worth it?

If you take everything into consideration (cost, risks and benefits) vaccination is strongly recommended for players particularly in team sports (At present, AFL teams have mandatory vaccination for Hepatitis B. Most also vaccinate their players against the flu each year).


Specific infections

1. Meningococcus

What is Meningococcus?

Meningococcus is a bacteria that affects the brain (meningitis). Although infection is rare, the consequences are often disastrous. Both the blood vessels and brain become severely inflamed and infection often results in death.

How do you catch Meningococcus?

Meningococcus is carried in the nose and throat. It can be passed on from person to person by contact with infected body fluids (e.g. sneezing). Most forms of this bacteria do not cause problems for it’s “host”. A rare form of the bacteria does invade the body and causes illness.

Is there a cure for Meningococcus?

Yes, antibiotics are affective but the problem is that the infection turns nasty very quickly – often before antibiotics are given. So the best form of management is prevention.

How do we prevent meningococcus?

Vaccination against infection is the best way we know to protect the individual (but even this is not 100% effective). The meningococcus vaccine is safe and effective. It is only needs to be given once.


2. Influenza

What is Influenza?

Influenza (or “flu” as it is more commonly known) is a viral infection of the upper airways. It is a very common infection. A true “flu” illness is like a cold (runny nose and sore throat) but much worse, often resulting in muscle aches and pains, fever and sweats, cough and chest pain or tightness. Older people and those whose immune system is compromised can die if the illness is severe enough.

For young healthy people it usually means you are unwell and out of action (usually in bed) for a week or two (there is also a high chance that you will infect your team-mates as well!)

Is there a cure for influenza?

No. So the best form of management once again is prevention.

Why do you need a vaccine each year?

There are many different “strains” of the flu virus and each year it changes. This is why it is recommended that you get vaccinated each year. The vaccine does not cover ALL strains of the virus, just the common ones around at the time.


AIS/AFL Academy Vaccination Request

What do you have to do?

Please complete the Vaccination Request Form attached to this email or Newsletter, by crossing the vaccination you need so as they can be ordered, and then fax return it to Terry by Friday 3 December.

(If you are not sure, the local council or your local doctor may be able to help you. If you are still not sure, there is often no harm in repeating a vaccination).

Parents or guardians, please ensure you sign the consent form to acknowledge that you have read and understood this form.



Terry Wheeler
Head Coach – AIS/AFL Academy