With the 2011 Community Cup not far away, The Espy Rockdogs and Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM Megahertz have unveiled their teams to fight it out on Sunday June 26th at Elsternwick Park. This year’s Cup will feature plenty of new faces across both teams and a few old favourites as well.
The Espy Rockdogs, for the second year running will be led by Melbourne’s own blues powerhouse Dan Sultan, who will be assisted this year with two Vice Captains, the experienced, veteran Espy Rockdog Tim Rogers and newcomer Jo Syme (Big Scary) will make her debut as VC this year.
Adding muscle, footy know how and musical pedigree will be Rockdogs Coach, Paul Kelly, in his first year at the helm of the Espy Rockdogs, “There will be no forward press. I will not use the word 'structure' when I address the players. I look forward to a good, clean, close game and a happy day for all” says Coach Kelly.
Assisting Kelly in coaching duties this year will be Jon Von Goes, one time Megahertz player has made a controversial move and swapped sides this year, so the Rockdogs will be expecting some inside Megahertz tips from JVG in his role as assistant coach. Overseeing all things with regard to the Rockdogs is the Chairwoman of Selectors and long time Community Cup devotee, Tracee ‘The Siren’ Hutchison who brings the final piece d résistance to the Rockdogs for 2011.
The Espy Rockdogs 2011 team includes a handful of footy debutantes from Melbourne’s music scene including Stacey Pommer, powerful drummer for Vice Grip Pussies, who makes his debut for the Rockdogs having played junior level footy in the Gold Coast before rock n roll drove him to Melbourne and Brendan Charlie and Jack Davies (Bittersweet Kicks) who will also be bursting onto the field to debut for the Rockdogs in June.
The Megahertz have embraced the coaching revolution with the elevation of 2010 Community Cup winning coach Neil Rogers (The Australian Mood Triple R Thursday 8-10pm) to the new role of Director of Coaching opening the way for Vince Peach (Soul Time PBS Wednesday 3-5pm) to make his coaching debut. A unique blend of experience and complete ignorance of the great game, the Rogers / Peach era is set to begin.
Succession planning is also at the forefront of The Megahertz's planning for 2011 with captains Jess McGuire (Breakfasters Triple R) and Maddy Mac (Homebrew PBS Monday 3-5pm) bringing some new blood into the leadership group. They'll be taking under their wings a couple of up and comers in new joint vice-captains Lukie D (Everybody Moves PBS Tuesday 7-8pm) and Stew Farrell (All Over The Shop Triple R).
MEGAHERTZ DEBUTANTES 2011 feature pocket rocket Eli Schoulal, the latest addition to the Megahertz midfield, she hosts Hellzapoppin’ on Triple R from 8- 10pm Saturdays. Dave “The Scot” Hinnrichs is casting off the last vestiges of his Celtic heritage to embrace our great indigenous game. In his first year hosting The Heather’s On Fire from 7-10pm Fridays and Brrakfasters Vinyl From the Vault segment on Triple R he’s also been a long-term spy for the Megahertz eyeing off the Rockdogs shenanigans from his vantage point as barman at The Standard Hotel.
Gary Carson promises to be mature-aged recruit story of Community Cup 2011. The veteran co-host of PBS’ Screaming Symphony, 10pm-midnight Thursdays is set to pull off some old school moves in his debut. Whereas Louise Please is fairly new to PBS with her Tuesday Drive program, Mixing up the Medicine, and she’s not taken a backward step in throwing herself into her first Community Cup aware of the increasing role Community Radio women as playing on the field.
A footy match between The Espy Rockdogs and the Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM Megahertz, The Community Cup raises funds for the events official charity partner Reclink, and celebrates Melbourne’s dynamic music and community broadcasting cultures.
Headlining the Community Cup for 2011 will be the mighty You Am I, with Tumbleweed, The Rebelles, The Mercy Kills and the SYN Free Kick Winners Red Rockets of Borneo opening proceedings on the day. All bands will pay tribute to legendary Melbourne musician Nick Cave, continuing a tradition that has seen The Clash, Devo, Kiss and The Ramones honoured at previous events.
With such a killer line up, it’s certain this year’s Reclink Community Cup will once again deliver on not only the best entertainment, but one very entertaining game of footy.
Reclink Australia is an organisation that uses sport and the arts to enhance the lives of people experiencing disadvantage. For the past 20 years, Reclink has targeted some of the community’s most vulnerable and isolated people - those experiencing mental illness, disability, homelessness, substance abuse, addictions and social and economic hardship. With a network of over 300 member agencies around the country, Reclink encourages participation in physical activity in a population group under-represented in mainstream sport, recreational programs and associations.
Reclink, PBS 106.7FM and Triple R 102.7FM acknowledges the support of the 2011 Reclink Community Cup major partners - Bayside City Council, SYN Media and the Victorian Amateurs Football Association.
