Squad

The National Training Camp for the junior Great Britain Bulldogs was held on Saturday 14 June, 2008 at Clapham Common in London.

Boys from all over the UK travelled to London to compete for the 22 places on offer for the Bulldog’s trip to Australia in late August.

Each player was put through a series of physical tests including the dreaded beep test, 20m sprint, 6 x 20m repeat sprints and push-ups. Competition to outdo each other was fierce, with the winners of each category being:

Beep test Reece Jackson (Level 12.4)
20m sprint Martyn Smith (3.15 seconds)
6 x 20m repeat sprints Martyn Smith (23.69 seconds)
Push-ups Stuart Smith (65)

The boys were also put through an intense skill session, with particular focus on their ability in the areas of kicking, handballing, marking and bouncing.

After a break for lunch it was time for a full-contact match, with all 36 players giving their all. It was a very physical affair with Oliver Maudhuit from the Lambeth Demons best afield.

Congratulations to the boys, who were each presented with a football to hone their skills with over the next two months. A big thank you to AFL legend Ron Barassi, who provided the footballs and will be speaking to the boys in Melbourne.

The Bulldogs 2008 squad:

Felipe Ferreira Featherstone Wildcats
Rajjan Sund Featherstone Wildcats
Rob Melville Winston Churchill Magpies
Sam Boys Winston Churchill Magpies
Oliver Benstead Winston Churchill Magpies
Ramone Daley-Campbell Winston Churchill Magpies
Simon Mataceva Winston Churchill Magpies
Steve Bartlett Winston Churchill Magpies
Will Martin Trinity School, Nottingham
Sam Willbye Trinity School, Nottingham
Ben Armstrong Sandown High School, Isle of Wight
Jonjo Walsh Lambeth Demons
Oliver Ash Carshalton Hawks
Lewis Brackstone Carshalton Hawks
Luke Breeden Carshalton Hawks
Reece Jackson Carshalton Hawks
George Merrick Carshalton Hawks
Jordan Naraine Carshalton Hawks
Stuart Smith Carshalton Hawks
Martyn Smith Carshalton Hawks
Rhys Turner Carshalton Hawks
Craig Cunningham Carshalton Hawks

OFFICIALS

Paul Avery Coach
Steve D’Giacoma Assistant Coach
Brian Clarke Team Manager/Runner
Jonathan Martin Hydration Assistant
Paul Armstrong Hydration Assistant
Tommy Walsh Public Relations
Terry Smith Photographer