COLLINGWOOD kicked off its two-day community camp in Bendigo, the heart of central Victoria, with a civic reception.
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The City of Greater Bendigo welcomed Pies players, coaches and staff at a special ceremony in the civic gardens.
Council staff and a few passionate fans were on hand to snap a photo or get an autograph from their footy heroes.
Magpies senior coach Nathan Buckley said it was important for AFL clubs to reach out to regional city’s like Bendigo.
“It is important for us to understand to remind ourselves we were once 12, 13, 14 year old kids who once had ambitions to be AFL players,” he said.
“It is easy to take that for granted sometimes when you get in the bubble.
“When you are going about your business and worried about kicks, marks and handballs and wins and losses, sometimes you can forget the opportunity we have to rock up to a footy club every day and play on the MCG in front of 100,000 people.
"The boys are looking forward to getting into the community over the next few days."
The boys are looking forward to getting into the community over the next few days.
- Nathan Buckley
City of Greater Bendigo mayor Peter Cox said the greater Bendigo region had a deep passion for AFL and that it was great to see Australia’s biggest club visit the city.
“We have more than 200 senior and 55 junior local teams playing in six local leagues in Bendigo,” he said.
“Footy clubs in particular in regional towns is the glue that keeps the community together.”
Pat Henshall was among the Collingwood fans who attended the civic reception.
The 90-year-old from Melbourne was able to meet one of her favourite footballers, in Buckley.
“I got a photo with him, it was very exciting” she said.
"I have loved him as a player and now as a coach.
“I can tick that off the bucket list.”
Across the two-day camp in the region, players will visit up to 76 different venues from across the region, including schools and hospitals.
