TWO seasons after winning the Golden Rivers Football League senior premiership, the Wakool Football Netball Club faces spending the year on the sidelines unless it can recruit more senior players before the first bounce in April.
The 2013 premiers and 2014 semi-finalists were dealt a blow late last month when up to nine senior and reserve players from a visiting club decided not to fulfil contractual agreements.
The club’s recruitment co-ordinator, Luke Henery said the club is speaking to players across the district and in Melbourne to convince them to join the side in 2016.
“We have at least half a side ready to run out on April 9 when we take on Quambatook,” he said.
“Things are progressing and everything has been planned for us to be on the field in 2016.”
Henery said the current lack of players was a reflection “on the way of the times”.
“The town and surrounding areas are going through challenging times and the population is dwindling with very few locals left. There is simply not enough people and families around,” he said
“We had up to nine players pull out from Mathoura because when January came around the corner they said the contract didn’t stand.
“They didn’t want to have to go through a long season here.
“We can’t guarantee a full senior side, but we are working very hard and hope to recruit more, ideally by February.”
Henery said the club wouldn’t field an under 17 side, but had enough on the list to form an under 14 team.
“The vibe around the club is still positive, and we hope the Australia Day cricket match will see a few old players return, which will hopefully convince them to stay around,” he said.
“The club has a new committee that is eager to get to work and that has lots of new ideas.”
Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Luke Henery on 0407 725 385.
