WILDCATS NEWS
WILDCATS BOOST ROSTER WITH IMPORTS Pre-season practise times (for both teams) are as follows; Mon 7pm – 9pm & Wed 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Adam Campbell Wildcats had a couple of guest coaches drop into training recently (before heading back to the States) to pass on some coaching points, improving skill-set development. Tanner and Jeff's input was greatly appreciated on the night and their words of support for the team and our program were also fantastic. A very positive experience all-round. Thanks again to the guys for their time, and we wish Tanner the best of luck with his upcoming season at MSU.
Upgrading the roster was a top priority for Coach Campbell in preparation for the Wildcats’ 2010 gridiron season, and the recent signing of Emery Williams (OL) and Kevin Saibou (WR) will serve to do just that.
Williams was a three-time first team All-Conference performer at Glenville State College. The former Tight End (TE) and Pioneers Team Captain possesses the type of athleticism and leadership Coach Campbell is looking for. Williams’ combination of size and speed will only serve to enhance the play of the offensive line as a whole.
Saibou is a standout Wide Receiver (WR) with French team Corsairs D’evry. The 6’4" Saibou was also recently drafted by Roma in the Italian AFX and will commence playing with them in 2011.
Campbell said that teaming Williams and Saibou with the Wildcats’ recent import arrival, American Quarterback (QB) Jason Lehman, should provide the Wildcats with the type of explosive firepower that he is looking for from his new offense.
"Our imports will not only provide the team with on-field results, but they will also prove invaluable through imparting their knowledge to our players," Campbell said.
"We have a lot of new and returning players that are going benefit significantly from the import players taking leadership roles within the team to nurture player development.
The Wildcats recently announced a long list of imports that also include Clary Jeffrey (RB), Austin Barnham (LB), Dominic Lane (DB) and several other supporting imports. Williams and Saibou along with the other imports will arrive in Brisbane in time for the Wildcats’ season opener on August 28 against the Cougars.
NEW DIRECTION FOR REJUVINATED WILDCATS
After a disappointing 4-1-5 finish to the 2009 season the Wildcats Management Committee have been busy this off-season putting together the pieces to ensure success on the gridiron in 2010.
In addition to the appointment of new Head Coach, Adam Campbell, the Wildcats will be overhauling its offense and defense this season as well.
Coach Campbell has relied on his experience to recruit several import players to strengthen his squad and assist with team coaching. Austin Barnham (LB), Clary Jeffrey (RB) and Jason Lehman (QB) (picture attached) have all recently graduated from Occidental College (California, USA) and will be joining the team in mid-July.
In addition, Dominic Lane (DB), a Mississippi College standout will also be joining the team in July. Dominic - who just recently completed tryouts for the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, and the UFL - will almost certainly strengthen the Wildcats secondary.
Coach Campbell has also recruited the services of his former Offensive Line (OL) coach and fellow Minor League Football Hall of Fame inductee Rob Diebold to assist him in preparing the OL for the season. As a zone blocking specialist, Coach Diebold will be a tremendous addition to the Wildcats’ staff.
The Wildcats’ junior team will also be greatly improved this season with the appointment of former East Carolina Pirate, Greg Le Fever. Coach Le Fever brings with him a wealth of gridiron knowledge that includes his football experiences in Japan (X-League), Canada (CFL), Arena Football and Germany (GFL). Equally as impressive is the fact that Coach Le Fever has coached at every level also; from high school through to professional.
Joining Coach Le Fever in September will be his brother Matt; currently playing QB in the GFL. With only four wins from 12 games last season, it is expected that Coach Le Fever’s input will result in the junior team returning to the post-season this year.
Combined with player recruitment, the addition of Coach Campbell and his American imports Wildcats are looking forward to an exciting and promising 2010 season.
WILDCATS CLASSROOM AND FILM SESSION
Please note there will be no training Wednesday 16th June due to State of Origin. We will instead hold a classroom and film session Saturday 19th June to illustrate coaching points of the new offensive system. Players should make sure playbooks are read thoroughly beforehand. See you there!
Venue: In Sports Cornubia, 146 Bryants Road, Shailer Park
Click here for a map
Time: 3.00 - 5.00pm
LATEST FROM COACH CAMPBELL
Former East Carolina Pirate Greg Lefever (28) has been appointed head coach of the Wildcats’ junior team for the 2010 season. Coach Lefever brings with him a wealth of experience that includes stops in Japan (X-League), Canada (CFL), Arena Football, and Germany (GFL). Equally as impressive is the fact that Coach Lefever has coached at every level also, from high school through to professional. Joining Coach Lefever in September will be his brother Matt; currently playing QB in the GFL. Together they will be the envy of any team, let alone a junior team, in Australia.
10 WILDCATS MINI-CAMP
Mini Camp for new and returning players commences 10 May at our field for the player grouping below. Please note that training will run from 7.00pm - 9.00pm on Mondays and 7.30pm - 9.30pm on Wednesdays. Players are to bring cleats, helmets and water.
May 10 & 12: Group 1 - QB WR RB TE
May 17 & 19: Group 2 - OL TE
May 24 & 26: Group 3 - LB DB
May 31, June 2: Group 4 - DL LB
SOME WORDS FROM OUR NEW COACH - COACH CAMPBELL
Pre-season practise is now under way and I look forward to meeting you all over the coming weeks. Allow me to take this opportunity to welcome you to the beginning of a new Wildcats season of football and to tell you a little about my background.
I first started playing football in New Zealand back in 1987. I have played on many championship teams and have also had the good fortune to represent my country many times both as a player and a coach. I have played in Australia & the US, and was the first head coach to coach the NZ Haka to a win over a touring US team (Texas/Arizona All Stars). In 2002 I coached the NZ Haka on a two-game tour of the US (California & Washington). In 2004 I was inducted into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame, in Las Vegas (Nevada), and am the first Kiwi coach to receive that honour. Last season, my first in Queensland, I was head coach of the Browns Plains Bruins.
I have come to the Wildcats with one objective... to coach the team to a championship title. Through dedication and plenty of hard work I believe we can achieve that goal. Remember: "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra!”
My coaching philosophy is succinct - We will work on the basic skills (technique) & be proficient at them all.
The club’s management team has been working hard during the off-season to ensure every success this season. We have recruited several US imports including; a QB, RB, LB, & OL, as well as a US head coach for the junior team. All of the imports will be joining the team in July. We will also be joined by my fellow HOF inductee Rob “Big Dog” Diebold, who will assist me by coaching the OL on the finer points of our zone blocking scheme.
We’ll also be installing a new offense & a new defense this season and so the sooner we can make a start (as a team) the better we will be as a result. As of right now everyone is competing for a position on the team & every position is an open competition. Everyone will play this season; however playing time is contingent on your level of commitment to the program and your participation at practise each week.
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence” – Vince Lombardi
Head Football Coach
Wildcats Gridiron
THE BUS DOMINATES THE POMS
Dave "The Bus" Wimbus played an integral part of Australia's 20-3 victory over England on Tuesday 21 July, 2009. The Bus is the starting Right Guard (RG) for the Australian Outback and is having an absolute ball, along with Wildcats Special Teams Coach Rene Hendriks who is the Special Teams Coach for the Outback.
According to Bus the English boys were huge, but unfortunately for them big biceps don't translate to runs on the board.
"These guys were big, and I mean big," Dave said.
"Facing the giant poms was an awesome challenge...they kept changing their fronts but we were just to good for them on the day.
The Aussie team now has a couple of days to recover and prepare for their upcoming fixture against Sweden on Thursday; barely little time to reflect on their amazing achievement which is the first Australian win since the 1999 World Cup in Palermo (Sicily) where Australia beat Finland 10-3 (which involved several Wildcats players in starting positions).
"All but one of our (Queensland) boys were on the starting team...we can't wait to get back on the paddock to face Sweden on Thursday," he said.
Second from left Dave "The Bus" Wimbus
CATS MAKE THE SMALL SCREEN
Wildcats were recently approached by a production company to provide 'talent' for their shoot - for the Queensland Art Gallery's American Impressionism & Realism Exhibition. The guys - Matt Skelton, Aaron Reed and Dave Wimbus - were happy to accommodate the producers and provide them with some gridiron extras for the day. An interesting look behind the scenes of how contemporary television advertisements are made. Don't blink though, or you will miss Dave!
GUEST COACHES DROP IN
Wildcats had a couple of guest coaches drop into training recently (before heading back to the States) to pass on some coaching points, improving skill-set development. Tanner and Jeff's input was greatly appreciated on the night and their words of support for the team and our program were also fantastic. A very positive experience all-round. Thanks again to the guys for their time, and we wish Tanner the best of luck with his upcoming season at MSU.
WILDCATS AUSSIE REPS FAREWELL
Wildcats will host a Cats Family Day for the Wildcats Australian representatives going to Europe for the World Cup in July. Check out the Events page for event details and get along on the day to show your support.
WILDCATS SELECTED TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA
Congratulations to our five senior Wildcats players - Aaron Reed, Summer Dhillon, Craig Weeks, Dave Wimbus and Shane Emery - and coach (Rene Hendriks - Special Teams) selected to represent Australia for the Australian Senior Outback squad's proposed tour of the UK and France in July/August 2009. The guys will play England, France and Ireland in the tournament.
Invitations for the Australian Junior Outback training squad have been announced and include Kieren Tumata and Corey Russell. More than 90 of the nation's best young gridiron players have been invited to attend a camp at the AIS in Canberra, where 45 will be selected to participate in the Junior World Cup qualifier game against New Zealand. The training squad will go into camp on Tuesday the 20th of January 2009. Best of luck boys!
This is a fantastic outcome for both players and club, and a reflection of the calibre of personnel within the 'Cats. Go 'Cats!
TUMATA PURRS HIS WAY TO US - BY GRIFFITH THOMAS THE REPORTER, AUGUST 13, 2008
Wildcats Gridiron star, Kieren Tumata is ready to make his mark in America. All 108 kilograms of him.
The 17 year old will be the only Wildcats junior to join the Australian Junior Gridiron team which will fly out on August 16, to tour the west coast of the United States.
The former Rochedale State School student will hope to use his devastating blocking and punishing skills against some of the best young teams from California and Arizona.
Since joining the Wildcats in 2005, Tumata has had many opportunities to excel in America's traditional football code while living in Australia.
"I have been fortunate to play with and be coached by some very talented people," he said.
"I got to train with a touring team from New Mexico and played with them in 2006."
"Last year I was selected in the Queensland Gridiron team, along with several other WIldcats players and went on to win the national championships."
"It was from this competition that I was fortunate enough to be chosen for the Australian Junior Gridiron team."
A keen rugby player with Sunnybank Rugby and Nudgee College, Tumata has been identified as a future Queensland Reds recruit after enjoying a season in the Reds development squad and selected to trial for the Queensland Schoolboys team, before a knee injury made him pull-out.
While in America, Tumata will not only be competing for bragging rights, but he'll be attending football clinics, touring the University of Southern California facilities and living his dream of watching a live gridiron game in America.
"We will train twice a day and will be involved in a community give-back day', so it will be an action packed itinerary - gridiron heaven," he said.
"I'm looking forward to hopefully watching a college match with thousands of other mad football fans in a stadium. One day I hope I might be on that field or even just the opportunity to come back to the States."
Tumata doesn't need much inspiration to stir him on and help his team get to this year's Sunbowl.
After the tragic loss of his younger cousin, Jason Tumata, who recently loss his battle with depression, Tumata now has an extra motive to win.
Tumata wore a black armband during his last rugby match of the season and will continue to wear an armband for the rest of the Wildcats season and on tour to help raise awareness about depression.
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