To capitalise on the excitement surrounding the 2009 Essendon team, Bomber players and coaches will conduct community visits throughout Victoria and Tasmania on January 30.

Membership manager, Melissa Chan, said the visits - which are being held in conjunction with the AFL as part of the Telstra AFL Community Camp program - will include junior football clinics, debut jumper presentations to past players and functions for Essendon supporter groups and AFL fans.
 
Ms Chan said Essendon's supporter groups assist the club in driving membership - in particular Beyond the Boundary and Mosquito Fleet Memberships for fans who can't attend many games.
 
""We would like to acknowledge our members and supporters from regional Victoria and Tasmania that have been passionate fans over the years, and we applaud the efforts of our supporter groups in driving Essendon memberships and keeping their local communities up to date on what is happening in Bomberland,"" she said.
 
""Some players and coaches will be visiting their local home towns and everyone is looking forward to engaging with the local community on this day.""
 
Players and coaches will travel to the following towns and regions to take part in clinics and community events.
 
Tasmania

North West Tasmania – Jason Laycock, Angus Monfries, Andrew Welsh, John Williams

North Tasmania – David Hille, Cale Hooker, Tom Bellchambers, Michael Quinn

Lauderdale – Sam Lonergan, Scott Gumbleton

Victoria
 
Portland – Nathan Lovett-Murray, Alwyn Davey, David Myers, Jay Nash

Hamilton – Leroy Jetta, Darcy Daniher, Jobe Watson, Tyson Slattery

Albury-Wodonga – Mark McVeigh, Kade Klempke, Michael Hurley

Warrnambool – Brent Stanton, Courtney Dempsey, Henry Slattery, Ricky Dyson

Bendigo – Scott Lucas,  Adam McPhee, Jarrod Atkinson, Heath Hocking

Gippsland – Jason Winderlich, , KyleReimers, Jay Neagle, David Zaharakis

Mildura – Matthew Knights, Paddy Ryder, Andrew Lovett, Hayden Skipworth

Melton – Dustin Fletcher, Matthew Lloyd, Bachar Houli, Tayte Pears, Brent Prismall, Rhys Magin

Full details of event times and locations will be available on this website soon or by contacting the relevant supporter group President (see details below)

North West TAS - Paul Fletcher Ph: 03 6428 2498

North TAS - Tim Welch Ph: 0418 344 546
 
Lauderdale - Phil Giffard Ph:0418 125 255

Albury-Wodonga - Marg Livingstone: Ph: 02 6021 7825

Bendigo - Joan Hartley Ph: 03 5461 2283 (AFL Community Camp)

Gippsland - John Harris Ph: 03 5174 6782

Hamilton - Doug McArthur Ph: 0427 733 281 (AFL Community Camp)

Mildura - Jenni Sinclair Ph: 0427 248 811 (AFL Community Camp)

Portland - David Beasley Ph: 03 5523 5156 (AFL Community Camp)

Warrnambool - Bruce Black Ph: 03 5562 4051 (AFL Community Camp)

Telstra AFL Community Camps aim to:

  • Make the AFL game and its players more accessible to the community, deepen the connection between regional rural Australia and the AFL clubs and players,
  • Expand the camps internationally with a limited number of camps,
  • Add value to the training of coaches, umpires, trainers and administrators,
  • Provide incentives for AFL Auskick registration, junior and youth participation, and
  • Drive opportunities to increase club memberships.