The first North Melbourne Father-son Academy training was a huge success with the children of David Dench (Joel and Callum), Matt Larkin (Mitchell), Craig Sholl (Darcy), David King (Harry), Troy Makepeace (Jai and Dylan), Robert Scott (Bailey and Darby), Glenn Archer (Jackson), John Blakey (Nicholas), Anthony Rock (James), Brent Harvey (Cooper) and Darren Crocker (Joel) all in attendance.
King called it a 'great initiative’ as he watched his son Harry putting his skills to the test.
“I think it’s terrific, the kids love it first of all. They’re rapt to get down here.
"The club’s been terrific giving them a jumper and boots and shorts, they think it's Christmas.”
King wasn’t on the sidelines for too long though and was forced to wind back the clock and done a North jumper in order to pose for a photo with his eight-year old as well as Brent and Cooper Harvey.
"The boys love the Kangaroos but they don’t really understand it, I think this is going to open some doors for them and really excite them," King added.
After a tour of Aegis Park, the kids had a mini-training with Brady Rawlings in charge.
"They know what their dads have done but they don’t really understand and when they see the Kangaroos play now they try piece it all together. Coming down here, opening their eyes and showing them things they’ve never really seen gives them a real spark.”
The day finished with lunch with the current players and while he didn't want to look too far ahead, King couldn't resist pondering the future.
"It’s the first time these boys have all been together. Hopefully, regardless of what they do with their football, they form a bond like their fathers have had.
"You don’t want to push your son with football and I certainly don’t do that, but if it works out and he does end up here one day it will be terrific."
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| Joel Crocker kicks as Brady Rawlings watches on |
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| The line assembles for shots on goal |
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| Fathers and sons watch the presentation |
