After finishing a big term and year of NAB AFL Auskick programs and clinics, the team at AFLQ Sunshine Coast sought to promote some last minute personal development for the AFL Sportsready Trainee’s before the end of the year through an ultimate "Trainee Challenge".
Given that AFLQ Sunshine Coast have three competitive and highly skilled Trainee’s, it was a very tough action packed week with Alex Bateman, Michelle Poetschka and Sheldon Judd stepping up to the plate.
Day One of the Trainee Challenge commenced with a general knowledge test which included fields of mathematics, history, english, AFL and sports based questions.
Our three Club Coordinators compiled and marked the trainee’s tests- Bateman took out the general knowledge test, seeing him take an early lead in the competition.
Day two of the Trainee Challenge saw Alex, Sheldon and Michelle undertake the online Queensland Transport learner’s practice driving test.
The trainee’s were then handed an envelope explaining that they would have to organise and pack their car for a week three Auskick clinic.
It was outlined that various equipment for games including ‘Across the Ocean’, ‘Ultimate Footy Baseball’ and ‘Mad Eagle’ would need to be catered for.
They were then timed on who could pack the car their quickest and there were points up for grabs for the tidiest car too.
The final challenges for the day were parking and a non-timed driving course.
Judd proved hard to beat on day two, and held the lead with the most points moving into day three.
Day three saw the trainee’s compete in a physical challenge which included flexibility, strength, endurance, balance and speed tests.
Judd took out the strength test, holding a plank position for three minutes and forty seconds.
Poetschka was too strong in the flexibility challenge along with endurance – completing a total of 600 punches in two minutes.
Bateman and Judd tied in both the balance and speed tests.
Overall, Judd remained in first place, followed by Poetschka in second and Bateman in third.
Moving into day four, the Trainee Challenge commenced with NAB AFL Auskick challenges.
The trainee’s were required to pop up and put back a handball target along with the NAB AFL Auskick table.
The challenge then moved into familiar territory for Bateman and Judd, having to complete a NAB AFL Auskick promotion in front of a very tough and experienced judging pannel.
Poetschka had never done a promotion before in her nine months working with AFL Queensland and came out on top with 26 points out of 30- Judd came in second with 24.5 and Alex in third with 24 points.
By the end of Day Four, Poetschka was in first place, Judd in second and Bateman in third heading into the final day of competition.
On the final day of the Ultimate Trainee Challenges, the AFLQ Sunshine Coast Crew created a more laid back approach to the challenges.
This included creating watermelon helmets, catching Dayne Frew’s monster kicks in a mesh football bag, marking and finishing up with a backyard cricket challenge.
It was a great way to finish up a tough week of challenges.
Sheldon Judd and Alex Bateman both ended the challenges equally in second place on a total of 449.5 points each- this saw Michelle Poetschka take out the 2012 Ultimate Trainee Challenge on a total of 460 points.
It was a great effort by the three trainees, capping off a sensational year of AFL development on the Sunshine Coast of which they have all contributed to through-out the year.
The staff at AFL Sunshine Coast wishes all three trainees all the best for 2013 and beyond with the hope that they remain actively engaged in AFL.
Last Modified on 18/02/2013 11:30