The team received plenty of goodies from Canberra Milk and letters of congratulations from other Canberra clubs on our success in 2008.

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The Yass Junior Roos celebrated their 2008 season with a family afternoon of tennis on Saturday September 6. It was great to see so many of the families, friends and sponsors of the Junior Roos as well as members of the Senior Roos enjoying a relaxing afternoon of food and sport. The tennis was mostly friendly with the highlight being young Grace Foran taking on her dad Brendon and winning. Coxy thought this was great until he too was beaten by the talented youngster. Just remember Grace you are being watched by the Yass Junior Roos talent scout not Tennis Australia.

The food was expertly prepared by Sharon and her team of helpers and enjoyed by all and yes recipes will be made available. A highlight was the REAL chicken curry prepared by Savita Cooke. Thank you to all those who helped and sorry to Janine who was replaced as Boss of the team BBQ, it will never happen again!

The large crowd eventually settled down to allow the formal part of the day to commence.

Club President Matt Jamieson welcomed and thanked all those in attendance and commented on the success of the multi age team and the magnitude of support the club has received in 2008. All players were presented with their participation trophy by Yass Senior Roos players Jason Anderson and Andrew Morgan. The boys were also presented with their team and individual photos from Image Photography.

Team award trophies were presented by Ryan Cox from the Senior Roos and the results were

* Most Improved – Oliver Whitehead

* Sportsmanship – Bailey Haskins

* Coach’s Award - Joshua Kemp

* Encouragement Award – Jordan Hudson

Three players also received their Canberra AFL certificates recognizing their milestone of reaching 50 junior games during 2008. Congratulations Nicholas Cooke, Brody Anderson and Brenton Showell.

Club Vice President Sharon Kemp thanked our 2008 sponsors for their support on and off the field during the season. All sponsors were presented with framed certificates of appreciation by Club Secretary Michael Cooke. Thank you to Foran Building Company, Southern Cable Services, Millers Pharmacy, Subway and McDonalds.

The Junior Roos recognized the efforts of several individuals who helped the club over the 2008 season with the presentation of certificates and thank you gifts by club treasurer Colleen Bush

* Leigh French - coaching assistance

* Ryan Cox – coaching assistance

* Jason Anderson – umpiring

* Huw Williams – goal umpire

* Daniel Kemp – goal umpire.

Senior Roos Coach Terry Lemon and Captain Brendon Foran announced and presented the major club awards for 2008.

* Junior Roo of the Year (Presented to the junior player that demonstrated significant personal achievement, leadership, dedication to the sport and service to the club over the season): Jeremy Bush

* Roo of the Year (Presented to the club person that displayed the most outstanding levels of leadership, dedication and service to the club over the season): Matt Jamieson

* Peter Cates Perpetual Trophy (Presented in recognition of outstanding support and assistance to the development of the Yass Junior Roos): Sharon Kemp

The much anticipated Best and Fairest Player in 2008 was announced by Terry Lemon. Parent votes from throughout the season were used to decide the eventual winner but counting was very close between the team until the final few rounds.

This year’s recipient for the John Foran Trophy for the Best and Fairest Player in 2008 was Ben Jamieson, marginally ahead of runner-up Nicholas Cooke. Congratulations to both young and talented players.

With the formal awards completed Sharon Kemp proceeded to remind all the players and some lucky parents of events that had occurred during the season awards such as Mr ‘I am a Supermodel’, Mr ‘Smooth’, Mr ‘Forgetful’, Mr ‘Butter Fingers’, ‘Super umpire’, ‘BBQ queen’, fan club membership, email etiquette and Mr ‘Incredible’ had the crowd amused.

Josh Kemp and Jeremy Bush made a presentation on behalf of all the players and parents to Terry Lemon for all his support through the season and to team coach Matt Jamieson.

The presentation was finished off with the young Roos lifting the roof off the tennis club with their rendition of the team song.

Congratulations to all the award winners in 2008. The club looks forward to the return of all Yass Junior Roos players, friends and families in season 2009.