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 Young stars drive change on and off the field 

Young stars drive change on and off the field

19/08/2008 11:43:00 AM
WESTERN Jets coach Steven Kretiuk and his players have a driving ambition to break through for a history-making premiership in the TAC Cup.

It's a big possibility, too, especially if Keilor product Nick Di Martino can stand tall at centre half-forward.

Beanpole full-forward Jack Fitzpatrick also has an important role to play if the Jets are to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the finals.

Onballers Mitch Banner, Nathan Schroder and Travis Lunardi will be desperate to provide as many opportunities as possible.

The club is committed to its players being driving forces off the ground as well.

The Jets strive to ensure players who are L-plate drivers get behind the wheel for at least 120 hours before obtaining a full licence.

It's the philosophy of the competition's long-standing sponsor, the Transport Accident Commission, through its L120 120 Hours Practice, Make It Your Goal program.

Regional manager Shane Sexton says the Jets are interested in a lot more than what happens on the field.

"We not only exist to assist talented players throughout the region meet their full potential as footballers but also to provide personal development programs for the holistic development of the individuals involved," he

said.

"The club runs several programs, including welfare, further education opportunities, leadership initiatives and 120 Hours Practice, Make It Your Goal driver training, among other programs."

Sexton said the Jets had introduced a section on their website and a logbook to monitor the playing group's driving practice.

"This allows learner drivers to record driving hours and provides useful tips to help stay on track as well as information about the kinds of practice that should be undertaken in wet weather, night driving and city or country driving."

Sexton is thrilled with the Jets' coming driver training program with Victoria Police.

"The Jets are again extending this program into the local community. Through its leadership group, the club participated in the TAC Youth Declaration for Road Safety day and is making a video on driver safety in conjunction with Melton Secondary College."

The Jets are proud of their track record in producing future AFL stars.

Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs), Matthew Lloyd (Essendon), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) and Shannon Grant (North Melbourne) top the list of success stories.

Then there's 100-gamers Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs) and Heath Scotland (Carlton via Collingwood).

Rising stars Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane) and Brent Prismall (Geelong) also have a lot to thank the Jets

for.

Essendon young gun Bachar Houli was the talk of the town when he made his highly publicised debut last year after being drafted from the Jets following a star-studded underage career with Spotswood in the Western Region Football League.

The Jets were thrilled when star-in-the-making Callan Ward was drafted by the Western Bulldogs at the age of 17 at the AFL national draft in November.

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Safety message: Likely AFL draftee Mitchell Banner collects the footy, which features the TAC's L120 logo, during the Western Jets' recent win over the Calder Cannons.
Safety message: Likely AFL draftee Mitchell Banner collects the footy, which features the TAC's L120 logo, during the Western Jets' recent win over the Calder Cannons.

20/11/2008 | There is something worse than having one GFC. That's having two.
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