DFA Sydney Open | December, 2016

The Australian Dodgeball Premier League (ADPL) is coming to Sydney. The DFA Sydney Open will be held Saturday, December 10. sydney-dodgeball-pic

Coordinated by Dodgeball Federation Australia and Australian Dodgeroos coaches / ADPL players, an open training session will take place, followed by a round-robin tournament.

Coaches and players will run through the rules, coordinate different training drills and match simulations, with tournament matches to follow.

The objective of the day is to introduce the Cloth Ball game and World Dodgeball Association regulations, used in ADPL VIC and at worldwide events involving our Australian Dodgeroos (Asian Championships and World Cup).

Through this event, we will introduce the ADPL to Sydney for new and experienced dodgeballers, in the hope of launching a NSW version of the ADPL in 2017. ADPL Logo

AUSTRALIAN DODGEROOS TRIALS

The event will also be a great opportunity for NSW-based players to put their names forward for Australian Dodgeroos selection in the Preliminary Dodgeroos Training Squad (Stage 1), set to be announced on December 20, 2016.

This Dodgeroos Training Squad is in preparation for the 2017 Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (September 29 – October 1, 2017). Further details can be viewed here – http://dodgeballfederationaustralia.com.au/2016/07/20/australian-dodgeroos-selection-process-2016-17/

Matches will also be filmed throughout the day, giving players the chance to showcase their talents and gather feedback from coaches.

 RULES & REGULATIONS

At the event, we will run through the rules in detail by having an open training session prior to the tournament.

To view ADPL regulations, visit – http://vic.auspremierleague.com.au/adpl-rules/

REGISTRATION

Early Bird Cut-Off | Wednesday, November 30 | $20 Per Player

Registration Cut-Off | Wednesday, December 7 | $25 Per Player

DATE / TIME

Saturday, December 10 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm

VENUE

Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre – 150 Belmore Road, Riverwood

REGISTRATION FORM

You can register a Team or join on an Individual Basis to be placed into a team.

Form Link – goo.gl/WRVLgi

Player Hub: Ross McGuigan | Manchester Bees

On his recent trip to the land down under, we got to spend some time with our English friend and Manchester Bees playing member, Ross McGuigan. A veteran dodgeballer and enthusiast of the game, Ross not only toured our great city of Melbourne, but also had the opportunity to represent Wantirna Wolves in Rounds 2 and 3 of the Australian Dodgeball Premier League.

We sat down with Ross to chat about his time in Melbourne, involvement in dodgeball with the Manchester Bees, what he’s looking forward to on the international dodgeball scene and much more.ross-mcguigan

Personal Life |

Favourite sports? 

Huge football (for the non UK residents out there – soccer) fan, but also a fan of cricket, golf, UFC amongst others!

Your football (soccer) team?

Manchester United fan and also Glasgow Rangers (I’m half Scottish!).

Sportsperson you love / loved watching the most?

A few footballers spring to mind. When I was younger it was David Beckham. Now followed by players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Andrea Pirlo! Non-football wise a few of our Athletes like Jessica Ennis.

First job held?

Working in our version of Woolworths stacking shelves!

Current occupation?

Project manager in Sports Development.

How would your best friend describe you? p1010084

“Alright”

Favourite food?

Got to be pizza.

Favourite TV show?

Fresh prince of Bel-Air.

Favourite quote?

“We came. We saw. We kicked its ass.” – Ghostbusters

Your most annoying habits? ross-mcguigan-3

I’ve been told my stories are terrible…

A household chore you hate?

Bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning, and cleaning in general (I actually do it though honest).

Describe your typical Aussie.

Ha-ha – big drinkers who enjoy a few BBQ’s!

On The Court |

How long have you been playing dodgeball? 

7 years (3 years with the Bees).

You’re a member of Manchester Bees Dodgeball Club. What do you love most about the Bees?  ross-mcguigan-1

Something that we always talk about as a club – the welcoming nature of all the members!

What’s your favourite training drill with the Bees?

We can get quite competitive when practicing in the games so it really brings the best out of you – so duplicating match play is good fun.

The Bees trained and spent time with the Dodgeroos in Manchester. Any funny stories to dish out? 

It was interesting to first hear the Australian art of retrieving the dodgeballs from the side line. “Shagging” as it is known! I had to question what it was and how it came about!

Your team won promotion to the English Dodgeball Premier League last year. Describe the feeling. 

It’s about time! But we felt much more prepared this year and we wanted to secure our promotion without being beaten.

Do you have any pre-game rituals before a big match? 336

Oat and raisin cookie consumption and elbow guard on!

Best moment in your dodgeball career?

Apart from the DPL promotion, taking a step back when we organised the training for a number of different nations around the world and thinking “this is pretty cool!”

You were a guest player for Wantirna Wolves in Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2016 ADPL season. Describe your time in the league. Did you enjoy the competition? p1010341

Yes we are still relatively new to the WDA rules so it was interesting to play it competitively. It was great to see what is predominately used in Europe (cloth) as well as experiencing gameplay with the Australians. Also, loving that you can watch the games a few days after and see how terrible I was at times…

While the ADPL is still in its infancy, how does it compare to the English version (or high performance competitions)?

We have a similar setup in terms of fixtures and we are only just introducing tournaments through the WDA rules. We have played a number of games against clubs who have high standard players whereas I think the teams were more varied in the ADPL.

Who’s your prediction to win the 2016 ADPL title?

Surrey Hills Sloths (totally not paid to say that).

You were an avid spectator at the 2016 Manchester World Cup. What did you enjoy most about the tournament? ross-mcguigan-2

Seeing the development of the sport and how far it has come with rule changes, more participants and the high standards. However I was there supporting the Bees and honorary Bees who were playing!

Who was your favourite nation to watch in Manchester?

Haha I’ll be honest the Aussies were awesome to watch (all teams) and I thought the Malaysians were great entertainment!

The new WDA international rules were designed for a faster paced and spectator friendly game. As a spectator, how did you rate the new regulations?

Completely backing the new rules – as with everything there might be some minor changes but I think as a spectator sport and for those new to watching it the WDA rules are fantastic.

What are you most looking forward to for the 2018 New York World Cup / Invitational?

The progression of all the nations – the standards will be even higher! And seeing all the different groups of people again!

Having a clear soft spot for the Aussies (we’ve now accepted you as one of our own), were you impressed with the Dodgeroos’ performances in Manchester? 108

Woohoo! Well thank you! I think considering I know the setup well with Dodgeball development in England and its difference to the development of Dodgeball in Australia, it was really impressive.

What are your future goals and ambitions in dodgeball? Do you have ambitions to play international dodgeball, and possibly at the 2018 World Cup?

Continue to promote our club, the sport and of course increase our international relations as we want to help expand and support growth across the world. We are more than happy to share our experience with our club and its setup.

In terms of playing international dodgeball, well we shall see 😉

 

Follow the Manchester Bees via their media channels:

Website: http://manchesterbees.co.uk/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ManchesterBeesDodgeball/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ManchesterBees

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/manchesterbeesdodgeball/

Player Hub: Tara Skellerup | Prahran Penguins

The inaugural Australian Dodgeball Premier League season kicks-off in less than two weeks. With anticipation building, we go one-on-one with Tara Skellerup, a Prahran Penguins and Women’s Australian Dodgeroos representative, at both the Asian Championships and World Cup.

Personal Life |

Favourite AFL team? Tara Skellerup

Essendon, as when we moved here from New Zealand they were the same colours as Canterbury.

What do you love to do in your spare time?

The times that I’m not playing dodgeball, I’ll clean or go shopping. Oh and most importantly sleep.

Ideal holiday destination?

Don’t have just one, but USA (New York or Hawaii) were amazing or Maldives which I’ve never been too.

Who’s your inspiration?

My inspiration has got to be my parents. They’re very caring and always there for me.

Favourite sports?

Definitely Dodgeball, but Tennis and Netball have been my childhood sports which I will always love!

First job held?

My first ever job was working as a checkout chick at Coles (still there).

Current occupation?

Childcare Educator, just went casually not long ago.

How would your best friend describe you?

I wouldn’t have a clue, so I asked and got the response of ‘Outgoing, social, friendly, caring, loving and works well with others’.

Favourite food?

There’s too many to choose from, let’s go with chocolate as my favourite.

Favourite TV show?

NCIS, Criminal Minds or The Block.

Favourite band / artist?

I like a big variety of music, but all the sounds on the radio are just the ones I normally listen too.

Favourite quote? Tara Skellerup 4

Hard to choose but I love, ‘In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take’, ‘sometimes you win, sometimes you learn’ and lastly ‘you can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one’.

Your most annoying habits?

Not so much a habit, just being lazy and not motivated most of the time.

A household chore you hate?

Cleaning my room or dishes. Depends if I feel like doing either on the day.

On The Court |

How long have you been playing dodgeball?

I have been playing for around 3 years now and not stopping any time soon!

What are your main strengths on the court? Tara Skellerup 1

Catching and throwing.

What do you think you could improve on?

Definitely my throwing and being fitter!

Favourite playing position/s?

Either wing or support, but I’m always happy to play anywhere.

Which teammate/s do you love to annoy the most?

Not so much me but I know quite a few people love to annoy Lakita (Seigafo). It’s always funny to see how she reacts.

You were part of the Women’s Dodgeroos success at both the 2015 Asian Championships and the 2016 World Cup. Describe the feeling of winning both titles.

Winning the first title was amazing and such an awesome feeling, I knew we’d go in strong with the team we had, but it being put into reality was even better. The second time we won at the World Cup in Manchester was indescribable! The Semi Final when we beat England was bitter sweet, then going through to the Grand Final was nerve racking, but we knew what our goal was.

Having the crowd and the atmosphere behind us was just incredible. The moment we won the World Cup was very emotional and an even better feeling to be World number one! I was so proud of the girls I had by my side. All our hard work paid off entirely.

Most difficult opponent/s in Manchester? Tara Skellerup 3

I would say England, but it turned out to be Austria. Playing against England went very quick but were still a very tough opponent to play. As we played Austria twice the second time we went out and did everything we could to win, it was a big challenge.

The Women’s Dodgeroos are current World Champions. What are you expectations for the girls going into the 2016 Kuala Lumpur Asian Championships?

I expect that we can keep our title. It will be challenging but we can definitely hold it with a strong team.

What are your future goals and ambitions in dodgeball?

To become a better player and grow within the sport. Also to have the honour of representing my country again in the 2018 World Cup in New York!

The ADPL is a new high performance domestic league. What are you most looking forward to about the ADPL? Women's World Cup Champions

Playing with cloth balls again! It will bring back a lot of memories. It will be a good challenge and a big competition.

It will be great to have a new crop of female talent playing in the ADPL. Having been involved in the Dodgeroos set-up, does this excite you?

Yes, very much so. I always love to see new girls joining dodgeball and watching the sport grow to get it bigger and better (not that dodgeball can’t get any better!).

Who’s a player/s we should look out for in the Prahran Penguins? What are your expectations for your team? Pre-season predictions?

Definitely Troy Haynes, as he has not played a proper game with cloth balls yet. In Manchester he showed a lot of talent during training! My Predictions for Prahran Penguins is that we’ll finish in the top 4, well hopefully. We have a very strong team, but are also there to enjoy it and have fun.

2016 ADPL Fixture Release

The Australian Dodgeball Premier League has officially unveiled its 2016 season draw. 
 
Ten Clubs will feature in the inaugural ADPL campaign –
Darebin Drop Bears, Doncaster Ducks, Endeavour Hills Eagles, Northcote Night’s Watch, Prahran Penguins, Riverstone Raptors, South Morang Scorpions, Surrey Hills Sloths, Vermont Vipers and Wantirna Wolves.
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  • Pre-Season round will be staged on Friday, September 2.
  • ADPL season launches Friday, September 16, and culminates with the Final Series on Saturday, December 17.
  • Regular season features nine rounds, including 90 matches.
  • The Finals Series will be a top-six format.

    Elimination Finals: 3rd vs. 6th; 4th vs. 5th
    Semi Finals: 1st vs. (Lowest Ranked Elimination Final Winner); 2nd vs. (Highest Ranked Elimination Final Winner)
    3rd Play-Off: (Loser Semi Final 1 vs. Loser Semi Final 2)
    Grand Final: (Winner Semi Final 1 vs. Winner Semi Final 2)

The 2016 ADPL fixtures can be viewed HERE.

ADPL Referee Course

Laws of the Game Certificate

The Australian Dodgeball Premier League aims to establish and maintain the highest standards of competence for ADPL Referees through appropriate education, training and support. The ADPL will conduct the following course to ensure all officials are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to be an ADPL Referee.

The Laws of the Game certificate provides a basic introduction to the Laws and interpretations, sanctioned by the World Dodgeball Association. Our course can be obtained by completing this program.

An official that is skilled in these key areas in combination with having a great understanding of the Laws of the Game is able to provide an enjoyable and professional experience to all involved. We encourage all Referees to read into the topics below:

Dealing with Conflict

Communication

Health and Fitness

Mental Strength

Course Time: Approximate 1 – 1.5 hours

When: Sunday, August 28 from 11:30am

If you’re keen to be involved but can’t make this date, please let us know ASAP.

Where: Aqualink Box Hill – Surrey Drive, Box Hill

Cost: $50 – includes ADPL referee top and ADPL Referee Certificate.

Option to pay up-front or have the cost taken out of your ADPL referee wages.

 

To confirm your interest, please email – info@dodgeballfederationaustralia.com.au or call 0431 052 148.

Player Hub: Andrew Thomason | Darebin Drop Bears

We sit down to have a chat with Andrew Thomason, vice-captain of the Men’s Dodgeroos squad from 2015 – 2016. Having earned 19 caps for Australia, the Darebin Drop Bears captain gives us an insight into why he’s so passionate about the game, and life off the court. Andrew Thomason (1)

Personal Life |

Favourite sports?

Dodgeball, Basketball, Tennis and NRL.

Sportsperson you love / loved watching the most?

Johnathan Thurston of the North QLD Cowboys (NRL). His dedication to the game and his spirit is truly inspirational.

First job held?

Started as a wash up kid at the local butcher’s, part-time when I was 15.

Current occupation?

Qualified Carpenter.

How would your best friend describe you?

My best friend would probably describe me as competitive. I tend to make a competition out of any situation. But I have been known to kick the balls.

Favourite food?

Cereal cause breakfast foods are good all day round.

Favourite TV show?

The Office (US).

Favourite quote?

“I want people to be afraid of how much they love me” – Michael Scott

Your most annoying habits?

Biting my nails.

A household chore you hate?

Washing the dishes

 

On The Court |

How long have you been playing dodgeball? Andrew Thomason (2)

I started playing around 3 years, two to three times a week.

What’s your favourite training drill?

Using resistance bands for strength and speed on the opening rush.

Being a member and vice-captain of the 2016 Men’s Dodgeroos squad, how did you find your time in Manchester at the World Cup?

Playing in Manchester was an eye opening experience. To see the level of talent across the countries competing and to meet other players as passionate about the sport as the Dodgeroos were, the organisation of the event and the venue was professionally run and executed well.

Were you satisfied with your team’s performance?

The team fought hard and I feel we showed the world what the Aussie men could do under pressure, and on such a massive scale.

Who was your toughest opponent in Manchester?

Going into the competition we knew that England were going to be a fierce competitor and they helped to push us to our limits. They had really good teamwork and their on court presence was just too much for us to conquer. I can see a strong rivalry coming from this and hope to give England a run for their money in 2018.

Favourite teammate in the Men’s Dodgeroos? 10339646_867454316700192_6818200686396352544_n

Dillon, our Coach and our King.

Most annoying teammate in the Men’s Dodgeroos?

Dillon, because he is the King.

Describe the moment the Men’s Dodgeroos were crowned 2015 Asian Champions against Malaysia.

Malaysia were such a competitive team. This was a very exciting moment because we knew we had qualified for the Manchester World Cup. It was also great to come out of the Championship with such strong friendships with players from each of the teams that attended.

Best moment in your international dodgeball career?

My favourite memory would be the Manchester World Cup Quarter Final against Northern Ireland. On two occasions I was the last player on court – these sets were one verses two and one verse three. I won both sets to help the team win and go into the Semi Final. It was an awesome feeling.

Do you have any pre-game rituals before a big match?

I usually listen to Breakdown of Sanity to calm me, and help get myself into the right frame of mind.

What are your future goals and ambitions in dodgeball? Andrew Thomason (3)

I have begun training to ensure my fitness stays on track for ADPL and for the selections process that will come for the next Asian Championships and World Cup in New York 2018. Further down the track I would like to coach, I feel that my knowledge and skills could help future players and teams.

The ADPL is a new high performance domestic league. What are you most looking forward to about the ADPL?

I enjoyed playing in Manchester using the same WDA rules and balls. It will be exciting to see this new dynamic of dodgeball be brought to Melbourne, as well as introducing this game to new and existing players, alongside the coaching and mentoring of existing Dodgeroos team members.

Who’s a player/s we should look out for in your team?

We have a few “standouts” on our team, Emma has a throw that will make you think you have been hit by a “Dropbear”, and watch out for Alicia’s clutch moments, her ability to catch that game changing ball that leaves players thinking…how? Not to mention the rest of our team of organised rogues.

What are your expectations for the Darebin Drop Bears?

Having strong and experienced players on our team will definitely help our chances of making the top half. With the skills and experience of two Dodgeroos team members, I’m sure our team will be able to adapt to the ADPL game quickly, making us a force to be reckoned with.

Pre-season predictions?

From seeing the team lists so far the playing field seems pretty even, given the teams have experience and skills throughout. A lot of the players have played together in social dodgeball and it will be interesting to see how these players mesh as a team at a high level of competition.

Player Hub: Abs Venkipally | Endeavour Hills Eagles

Abs Venkipally has captained and coached the Men’s and Mixed Dodgeroos, respectively to become Asian champions, while playing an important role in the formation of the Australian Dodgeroos. Now, as captain of ADPL Club Endeavour Hills Eagles, he’s looking forward to the new national competition. We sit down with Abs, to chat about his international career, and life outside the game. 398
Personal Life |

AFL team you support? I picked Essendon not because I follow footy, but because my favourite colours are Red and Black. Essendon team colours happens to be Red and Black.

Sportsperson you love / loved watching the most?
I am a huge fan of Cricket. In my younger years, I played Cricket and Hockey. Steve Waugh, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni have always been my idols. Nowadays, Dillon Jesudhason is my Dodgeball idol.

Favourite sports?
Dodgeball, Cricket, Hockey.

First job held?
I worked for a small designing company and I remember at the end of every month, I used to take home all the designs and banner size posters of movies, super heroes, actors back home to stick it on my wall.

Current occupation?
Paintball Referee and soon to work with a small company that deals with NBN as a technician

How would your best friend describe you?
Spontaneous, competitive, emotional.

Favourite food?
Japanese, Chinese, and Indian Cuisines.

Favourite TV shows?
Game Of Thrones, Fresh Prince, Brooklyn 99, The Office, Arrow, Flash, the list just keeps going.

Favourite quote?
I’m not religious but there is something that really stood out to me from the many religious scriptures. It conveys a message along the lines of “Treat others the way you want to be treated”. I like the positivity it brings and I hope to follow this as much as I can from a day to day basis.

Your most annoying habits?
Apparently I chew my food loudly. I don’t believe I do but then again…I don’t pay attention because the food is probably so good.

A household chore you hate?
Gardening. The worms gross me out, haha.

On The Court |
How long have you been playing dodgeball? Abs Venkipally
4.5 yrs and I don’t see it stopping any time soon.

What’s your favourite training drill?
Reflexes drill – trying to catch balls that are being quickly thrown at you by your partner. Followed by punishments.

You captained the Men’s Dodgeroos to its first piece of silverware by winning the 2015 Asian Championships. Describe the feeling of winning on home soil in Melbourne.
The 2015 Asian Championships was an awesome experience. It was definitely a highlight for me and I thank the team and the coach for their commitment and improvement with cloth balls. It was our first time playing with the new type of dodgeballs and it was a great feeling to have won on our home ground.

Unfortunately, you suffered a fractured finger leading up to the 2016 World Cup. While you played, your court-time was limited. How frustrating was it? The World cup back in April. Honestly, it was quite difficult to deal with. I had such high hopes for myself to perform well and the injury just spaced me out for a while. My commitment to the team and dodgeball started lacking due to this, but by the time the event came around, I was ready to be a supportive team member in Manchester. I hope I can always up my game on and off court in the future.

Does this fuel you with extra motivation to represent your country again?
Definitely. I like to still be good enough to be selected back on the squad and I hope to be injury free next time around.

Who was your toughest opponent in Manchester?
England. Definitely a strong team. They showed lots of brutal skill and passion into what they do. They set a standard for me to try and improve myself too.

Favourite teammate in the Men’s Dodgeroos?
The whole squad got along very well especially towards the end of our tournament but a special mention to Dillon, Andy, and Mitch for being supportive on the trip.

Most annoying teammate in the Men’s Dodgeroos?
I don’t want to get in trouble. I thought I was the most annoying, given after my injury I just spaced out and took me a little time to get over it. But on a lighter side of things, Dillon is also a very annoying person in general. His voice alone is enough to cause chaos.

Best moment in your international dodgeball career?
Sharing the moment of every game that the team won or lost was actually such a awesome feeling for me. It was those times that I probably learnt the most about team building, bonding and attitude on and off court. Skill is one thing, but there is another whole new level about how a player should be too.

Do you have any pre-game rituals before a big game? 
I personally didn’t but the team had two awesome coaches and I thank them for inspiring the players with exactly the things the team needed to hear. They were amazing and I could not have asked for better coaches.

You were also coach of the Mixed Dodgeroos from the 2015 Asian Championships to this year’s World Cup. Describe the transition from being a player to coaching. 332

It was definitely an interesting experience. I learnt a lot from playing and trying to teach the way I felt was effective. Not everyone may agree on exactly how someone can train for Dodgeball, but being a player made it a little bit easier.

Constantly getting feedback from players in and out of the Dogeroos, and the Mixed squad was definitely something that helped everyone move forward. Manchester was a great experience and a little more satisfying in terms of coaching, as I felt the team gelled well with training sessions, and overall friendship.

What are your future goals and ambitions in dodgeball?
I’d like to keep working on improving my skill and attitude and hope to be selected for international events in the future.

The 2017 Asian Championships has recently been announced to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Men’s Dodgeroos enter as reigning champions, can we defend our crown?
I strongly think we can. Given the same squad, the chemistry and skill was definitely amazing. But there is always new talent so Whenever the trials to pick the squad is, I’d be great to work hard with the team and better ourselves to defend that title. Looking forward to the new journey ahead.

The ADPL is a new high performance domestic league. What are you most looking forward to about the ADPL?
I am looking forward to seeing new faces trying out new rules, new balls and the challenges every single player will face. Best way to learn is to face tough situations so I am definitely keen for this.

Who’s a player/s we should look out for in your team?
I feel our team is balanced. There are new faces trying out cloth balls, so I cannot say who people should watch out for but only time will tell, haha.

What are your expectations for the Endeavour Hills Eagles? Pre-season predictions?
I don’t know how many teams there are yet, and I’m not sure how skilled the other teams are either. But on a positive note to my team, I’d hope my team works well together and gives everything it has while gradually learning together. I predict our team has a good chance to be in the top 3 category.

 

Australian Dodgeroos Selection Process | 2016 – 17

In preparation for the 2017 Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (September 29 – October 1, 2017), there will be three stages in the Australian Dodgeroos selection process.

Stage 1. Preliminary Dodgeroos Training Squad
Stage 2. Provisional Dodgeroos Squad
Stage 3. Final Dodgeroos Squads (Men’s, Women’s & Mixed: 15 Males / 15 Females)

Player attendance is mandatory for all Dodgeroos Training Camps. The DFA may look to stage a Training Camp/s outside Victoria, held on a weekend. Camps will include various training sessions / programs and also friendly matches against ADPL Clubs.

STAGE 1 | December, 2016: Preliminary Dodgeroos Training Squad Announced

Players will be selected for Stage 1, based on the following criteria:

– ADPL performances for Victorian based players. To be eligible for selection, a player must play a minimum of 40% of matches during the ADPL regular season.
– Players who don’t have access to an ADPL competition in their state: Video Footage and / or any organised DFA Events.

1st Dodgeroos Training Camp: January, 2017 (1 week training x 2 sessions)

2nd Dodgeroos Training Camp: February, 2017 (1 week training x 2 sessions)

3rd Dodgeroos Training Camp: March, 2017 (1 week training x 2 sessions)

4th Dodgeroos Training Camp: April, 2017 (1 week training x 2 sessions)

STAGE 2 | May, 2017: Provisional Dodgeroos Squad Announced

Players will be selected for Stage 2, based on the following criteria:

– Preliminary Dodgeroos Training Camps – form, work ethic, attitude etc.
– ADPL performances for Victorian based players and other states, if an ADPL competition exists.
Players who miss out on the Training Squad (Stage 1), may be in contention for Provisional Squad selection (Stage 2) pending form, work ethic and attitude in the ADPL. With limited places available for the Provisional Squad, selection may be subject to the form of players originally in the Training Squad, who may or may not hold their spot for the Provisional Squad.

5th Dodgeroos Training Camp: May, 2017 (2 weeks training x 4 sessions)

6th Dodgeroos Training Camp: June, 2017 (2 weeks training x 4 sessions)

STAGE 3 | Mid-June, 2017: Final Dodgeroos Squads Announced

* Please note, the following schedule is a guide and may be subject to change.

Player Hub: Meals Fitzsimons | Northcote Night’s Watch

With the inaugural ADPL season fast approaching, we get to know Meals Fitzsimons, the Mixed Dodgeroos captain from Manchester, 2016 and a current member of the Northcote Night’s Watch Dodgeball Club. 371

Personal Life | 

What do you love to do in your spare time? Other than dodgeball, I mostly travel or hang out with my family and friends when I’m home. I come from a gigantic family (lots of cousins that are within 5 years of me), 3 nieces and 2 nephews. My sister had twin baby girls recently, so I spend a lot of time over there. They are incredibly cute!

Ideal holiday destination? Only ONE location?! Well that’s a bit hard. So far I have travelled to 46 countries and I still feel like I haven’t seen enough! I would probably say Egypt, as I used to want to be an archaeologist when I was a kid. Seeing the pyramids in person would blow my mind!

Who’s your inspiration? My parents are my inspiration. They have always been loving, caring, supportive and positive. They have struggled, have worked hard all of their lives. They always put us first and it’s only in the past few years that they have had the opportunity travel and enjoy the fruition of their labors.

Favourite sports? A better question would be “what are my least favourite sports”. The answer would be Golf, Test Cricket and Car Racing.

First job held? My first ever proper job was working at Bakers Delight when I was 14 years of age.

Current occupation? I have always found myself with itchy feet, and enjoy having more than one job. So at the moment I work part-time at Bakers Delight (yes, I’ve been there for 15 years on and off), and I nanny part-time.

How would your best friend describe you? My best friend would probably describe me as fun, loving and most likely LOUD!

Favourite food? There are too many delicious options to choose from, but my go to confectionery item is always chocolate. All of the chocolate. All of the time.

Favourite TV show? Too many to name them all but mostly Game of Thrones, Vikings and pretty much any British comedy from a decade ago (Black Books and the IT crowd being my favourites).

Favourite band / artist? I absolutely adore music and love to enjoy a wide range, but my stand outs would have to be:
Old: Fleetwood Mac, anything from Mo town, David Bowie, The Beatles.
New: Missy Higgins, Bon Iver, Matt Corby, Gotye and Flume.

Favourite quote? “Not all those who wander are lost” loved this quote by Tolkien so much I got it as a tattoo!

Your most annoying habits? I wouldn’t call it a habit as such but probably my worst (or best depending on your view of things) trait would be I am emotional. Like, over the top emotional. I am either bouncing off the walls with excitement or crying. For instance, I watched a compilation video on YouTube of soldiers coming home to their excited dogs. Story of my life.

A household chore you hate? Dishes. It’s well known that I love to cook but I refuse to do the dishes.

 

On The Court |

How long have you been playing dodgeball? About 3 years. Meals Fitzsimons

What are your main strengths on the court? My positive attitude and keeping everyone’s spirits up.

What do you think you could improve on? There is always room to improve. Originally I was disappointed that I didn’t make it on the Women’s Dodgeroos team for the 2016 World Cup. But now I feel like being a woman in a mixed team and having balls pegged at your face by guys has really improved my catching abilities! For me though it would be my throwing accuracy and my calling ability that could be improved.

Favourite playing position/s? Wing/Wing support.

Favourite teammate? No favourites. Everyone I have ever played with has always brought something different to the table. I have probably played the longest with Leigh Thomas (from the Mixed Dodgeroos) and Mitch Hartshorn (from the Men’s Dodgeroos).

Most annoying teammate? Brad Horsfall!

You were captain of the Mixed Dodgeroos in Manchester. Describe the feeling of leading your team out to battle. I guess best word I could use to describe leading my team out to battle would simply be…pride. We trained our guts out leading up to Manchester and we were not expected to do as well as we did. I am so proud of of what we achieved! Tear. Mixed 3rd Place (1)

Finishing 3rd in the Mixed category was a great achievement. What was your greatest memory for the tournament? For me it would have to be beating USA. Anytime Australia takes on a powerhouse like the States we are coming in as the underdogs. I LOVE being the underdog. We totally annihilated them and personally, I was having a ripper of a game too!

Most difficult opponent in Manchester? England for sure. They were formidable. They took out the mixed category, and rightly so.

What are your future goals and ambitions in dodgeball? I would absolutely love to have the honour of representing my country again in the 2018 World Cup in New York.

The ADPL is a new high performance domestic league. What are you most looking forward to about the ADPL? I’m looking forward to the extremely high level of competition. Playing teams that are better than you, only forces you to rise to the challenge.

It will be great to have a new crop of female talent playing in the ADPL. Having been involved in the Dodgeroos set-up, does this excite you? Seeing how far dodgeball has come over the past couple of years has been mind blowing. I can’t even imagine the talent pool of females that is out there and undiscovered! It is such an exciting time for this sport, and the potential has to be up there with the likes of AFL, Cricket and Netball.

Who’s a player/s we should look out for in the Northcote Night’s Watch? What are your expectations for your team? Pre-season predictions? We have quite a few “unknowns” in our team that could really be deadly. Will Garnsey in particular can pluck balls from the air like no body’s business! I haven’t seen the list of all the teams involved yet, but I feel our team will have a great rivalry with Elliot Dawson’s (Surrey Hills Sloths). Most of us play together outside of the ADPL. I would hope we end up in the top 4.

Player Hub: Vim Wijesinghe | Vermont Vipers

We sit down to have a chat with the charismatic Vermont Vipers captain, Vim Wijesinghe in preparation for the 2016 ADPL season. Vim Wijesinghe (1)

Personal Life |

AFL team you support? I don’t really follow AFL but I’d say Collingwood, only because I think I’ve watched them play the most.

Sportsperson you love / loved watching the most? My favorite sportman has to be the New Zealand Fly Half, Dan Carter. In my eyes he is the best number 10 to ever play rugby.

Favourite sports? Soccer and Rugby, and since I started playing Dodgeball, I’d say it’s a favourite now as well.

First job held? I’ve never actually worked. The place I grew up in (Dubai) didn’t allow me to work until I turned 18. By then, I had been moving around too much to pick a place to work.

Current occupation? Currently a student studying at Deakin Uni, and looking for some part time work.

How would your best friend describe you? The best human being you could ever meet.

Favourite food? Apple pie.

Favourite TV show? House.

Favourite quote? “Don’t tell me the odds” – Han Solo

Your most annoying habits? I tend to shout or at least talk very loudly, even in general conversations.

A household chore you hate? Doing the dishes. Since I live on my own and don’t have a dishwasher, if I don’t wash the dishes every time, they just pile up.

On The Court |

How long have you been playing dodgeball? Almost a year now. Deakin University 2 Teams

What’s your main strengths on the court? My main strength I’d say is I love playing under pressure. I guess that translates well since dodgeball is a mental game as well, not letting the pressure get to you because at any moment you could be the last man, or give away a catch or drop a catch. So it’s important not to get hung up on mistakes, or succumb to pressure.

Favourite playing position/s? Striker.

Favourite teammate? All my teammates are awesome, but Honeyy Moh is my ride to matches. So if i don’t give him a special mention, then he might just ditch me.

Most annoying teammate? That would be myself, because let’s face it, my team is full of great people. I’m literally the worst of the bunch.

Who’s a player who really admire / respect? Lachlan Basso’s hair, not him, just his hair. It’s got so much volume and it’s so magnificent, definitely hair goals for me.

What are your future goals and ambitions in dodgeball? One day to be good enough to be worthy to stand next to our lord and savior Dillon “Jesus” Dhason. Jokes aside, I’m hoping to be considered for a national spot, but I know I’ve got a long way to go for that.

The ADPL is a new high performance domestic league. What are you most looking forward to about the ADPL? I’m really looking forward to playing against some high quality opponents this season. Hopefully playing in the ADPL will boost my individual skill, as well as my teamwork.

Who’s a player/s we should look out for in your team? Without giving too much away, we have a few untested players who I’m sure will give the competition a bit of a surprise. But in general, I’d say watch out for our whole team.

What are your expectations and pre-season predictions for the Vermont Vipers?  Realistically we should be aiming for an upper mid-table finish. We have some very talented players no doubt, but as a team we need to grow together. So anything higher than mid-table would be a bonus, and hopefully going into next year’s DFA cup, we can cause a few upsets.