Sport
Carrying on the Dale tradition
Paul Amy
30Jun08
THE surname Dale is synonymous with football in these parts.
Craig "Butch" Dale was a champion player for Edithvale-Aspendale - he was named in its team of the century - and his brother Rod also saw senior action.
Now Bailey Dale, Rod's boy, is coming through the ranks.
The Chelsea Heights Primary School Year 6 student has been named in the Victorian Primary Schools Sports Association team to play in the national carnival in Melbourne next month.
A few days before he will have the thrill of receiving his jumper from AFL icon Kevin Sheedy.
More than 7000 youngsters were involved in the initial trials for the team. Numbers were gradually cut, until Bailey was asked to present at Carey Grammar on June 7.
"The selectors watched us all day," Bailey said. "On Sunday we had a recovery session in the pool, then we went back to the gym and did more training and had another game.
"That evening we got an email from the Victorian team manager telling me that I made it into the team. It was awesome!"
Bailey started playing for the Edithvale-Aspendale Under 9s. Last year the onballer won the best and fairest and was named most valuable player in the Under 11s' grand final victory.
* Bailey Dale is this week's Leader Junior Sports Star.
