In the lead up to the first Western Derby at Optus Stadium, the West Coast Eagles coordinated a series of free activations for more than 2500 supporters across the state.

The club kicked off the week with its annual Rick’s Rookies clinic, where more than 400 aspiring boys and girls received first-hand tips from Eagles players.

John Worsfold Medal winners Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff, Eric McKenzie, Mark LeCras and Luke Shuey – along with the remainder of the playing squad – ran a series of skills stations at Wembley Sports Park.

This was followed by a series of Naitanui Academy Clinics, where Aboriginal and multicultural boys were put through their paces learning about football and life skills.

West Coast game development head coach Drew Petrie shared some finer points of the game with the eager groups of boys from all across the world.

“The growth in skills is really heartening. The boys are committed to make the very most of their opportunity and you can really see it on the park with their tackling, kicking and listening during the information sessions,” Petrie said.

Long standing West Coast supporter BHP partnered with the club to conduct its annual kids footy clinic, where more than 250 children and 100 parents rubbed shoulders with a range of players including Nic Naitanui, Jack Darling, Lewis Jetta and Willie Rioli at the Optus Stadium precinct.

Parents heard from a panel of footy celebrities including Ross Glendinning, Dom Sheed and outstanding WA female footballer Courtney Stubbs while the kids honed their skills and learned how to take a ‘speckie’.

In between selfies and signatures Nic Naitanui said: “It’s great to get a chance to meet so many BHP families. They have been fantastic supporters of the club for a long time and I enjoy catching up with familiar faces on a regular basis.”

The week finished off with more 200 female footballers honing their skills under the careful direction of West Coast Eagles Female Academy coaches and squad members.

Girls from across the metropolitan area and regional towns such as Pinjarra, Brookton, Pingelly, Jurien, took part, with many generous parents arriving in cars loaded with lots of enthusiastic female footballers eager to pull on their boots.

The excitement was contagious, with girls of all ages embracing the teachings of current WAWFL stars Danika Pisconeri (Subiaco Lions), Jasmyn Fullgrade (East Fremantle Sharks), Amanda Robertson (Claremont Tigers) and Roxanne Roux (East Fremantle Sharks).

Female Academy Co-ordinator Jan Cooper said it was fantastic to see so many girls giving their all across the clinics.

“Amongst the participants there were a range of skills, some I think will be good enough to someday play AFLW and hopefully wear an Eagles guernsey,” Cooper said.

Throughout the week West Coast Eagles players and Rick the Rock visited Forrestfield, Noranda and Claremont Quarter shopping centres, catching up with over 1500 fans of all ages.

These visits were made possible by the long standing partnership with Hawaiian.

Handball tests along with free sausage sizzles kept the crowds excited while players such as Jack Redden and Jack Darling told jokes with the audience members.

Jack Darling was particularly pleased to bring share some laughs with the kids

“I remember being a young fella and meeting some of my heroes; it lasted with me forever. Its great Hawaiian can make these evening’s possible,” Darling said.

West Coast Eagles general manager of community and game development Richard O’Connell expressed the club’s gratitude to the participants and their parents.

“As a club we continue to thank our supporters for their eagerness to get involved with passion, especially the parents who manage to juggle their busy schedules to give their kids the opportunity to have fun and enjoy being active,” O’Connell said.