On the eve of his 500th game as Essendon coach, Kevin Sheedy said one of the most rewarding parts of his football career has been working with children at footy clinics. ""Over the years I have probably done over 2000 footy clinics - everyone talks about your playing and your coaching but I would have to honestly say that the clinics that I have done all around Australia have been a fantastic part of my life. To sit there and talk to mums and dads and kids – to try and put a dream into a kids mind that it could be you. Peverill is a great story for kids and so is Gary Moorcroft - to win mark of the year. You see a little freckled face kid playing footy. You have to leave that dream in their mind so they have that opportunity,"" Sheedy said.

That is exactly what Kevin Sheedy did after his 500th match against Brisbane at the Gabba. On Sunday 14 April Sheedy went to the Redland Bomber Family Day to host a Footy Clinic with over 500 children. To the excitement of the crowd Sheedy arrived with a group of Bomber players - Matthew Lloyd, Chris Heffernan, Mark Johnson, Jason Johsnon, David Hille, Mark Mercuri, Robert Forster-Knight, Danny Jacobs and Mark Bolton. Sheeds and the players took the kids through a range of handballing and kicking drills and then signed autographs for the adoring fans. The Family Day was held at the Redland Bombers home ground - Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club.

The Redland Bombers are the Essendon Football Clubs affiliated team in Queensland. Formally known as the Redland Sharks, the club is now known as the Redland Bombers after the Essendon Football Club further established its brand nationally. Essendon commenced a formal affiliation with the Redland Football Club in March. According to Redland Operation manager Sean Ellis the affiliation with the Essendon Football Club has lifted the enthusiasm of the players and the personnel at the club. “More players have joined the club and we have been contacted by several interstate players showing an interest to play with us in 2003. We have signed several new sponsors since the announcement and the young players feel they have more of an opportunity to play AFL. We look forward to establishing a long and rewarding relationship with the Essendon Football Club.”