THE Hollingworth family is a great case study in the highly successful production line of talent at Irymple Football Netball Cub.
Mum Rachelle has been a flag-winning netball leader at the Swallows for many years, while her husband, Craig, played senior football for the club.
The couple have paved the way for their three children – Mia, 18, Alex, 16, and Shaun, 13 – to be among the next generation of players taking centre stage at the club.
Alex is being touted as the next big thing in the Swallows’ football ranks.
His ascension to the senior 22 for today’s SFNL grand final against Wentworth has been incredible.
Playing co-coach Tom Brownbridge reflected on it at training on Thursday night.
“The story with Alex is that he wanted to play more football than just the 16s this season because he’s doing all this development stuff,” Brownbridge said.
“His old man came up to us and asked whether Alex could play reserves if they were short. We said ‘no worries’.
“He played a game of 2s and dominated, so we brought him into our team to give him a sniff and he’s proven to be a diamond in the rough.
“I was a 16-year-old like Alex coming through the ranks with Will (Callow) mentoring me, so it’s very exciting to watch.”
The Swallows are undoubtedly the most successful football club in the Sunraysia league.
They will field teams in today’s deciders of the seniors, reserves, under 18 and under-14 competitions.
It comes after the club made the grand finals in seniors, reserves, under 16s and under 14 colts in the previous full season three years ago.
Irymple football manager Leon Crisera this week gave an insight into the secret of the club’s success.
“It’s the great community that we have supporting our football and netball organisation,” he said.
“There are so many moving parts between the football and netball club.
“We look to get the best people we can involved in the junior program, and the emphasis is on participation across the board.
“We try to identify talent at an early stage and then harness that talent going forward.”
It’s certainly working wonders, and Alex Hollingworth is proud to be part of the club as he eyes senior premiership glory today.
“It’s unbelievable. I can’t wait for it,” he said.
“I just love playing footy and for this club. I’ve grown up watching the guys I’ll be playing with on Saturday. It feels amazing to know I’ll be playing with them in a grand final.”
His younger brother, Shaun, will be lining up on the wing for the Swallows in the under-14 grand final against Wentworth this morning.
“We’ve beaten them every time this season, but I’m expecting it will be a close game,” the youngster said.
His big sister, Mia, will complete an impressive family affair today when she suits up for the Swallows’ B-grade netball team against Robinvale Euston in the competition’s maiden indoor grand final.
The 18-year-old also took time out at training this week to talk about what the club means to her.
“It’s a really good environment to be around. Everyone gets on well and it’s a good place to be,” Mia said.
“The senior players have been a really good influence on my development as a netballer.”
As for the clash with the Eagles today, she said: “It’s going to be a tough game. We beat them once and they beat us once this season.
“We’ve won both of our finals to get in to the grand finals, so we have good momentum and confidence.”
Mum Rachelle said she was proud of all her children.
“It’ll be a great day for our family,” she said.
