Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr Kim O’Keeffe presented goal posts to grateful clubs at AFL Goulburn Murray on Wednesday 2 May.
“The Our Sporting Future Program was established by Council to assist community sporting organisations with the implementation of small to medium sized facility development projects and development programs for new and emerging sporting organisations across the municipality” she said.
“Specifically this funding falls under the Sports Aid section which provides funding for participation projects that have not been tried before and will attract more members, particularly at the junior level.”
“Congratulations to the Shepparton District Junior Football League for their initiative in implementing the AFL Junior Match policy and Council applauds their efforts to deliver an age appropriate structure for boys and girls to play junior football.”
Shepparton DJFL President Mick Betson acknowledged the support of Council for this project.
“After the review was completed into the Junior Division in our competition the League and Clubs were keen to implement the AFL Junior Match Policy to complement the changes to an U10 and U12 competition” he said.
“The Policy provides for smaller sided games, modified rules which are appropriate for children at each of those age groups and a smaller field leading to greater engagement and more active participation.”
“The biggest inhibitor to shortening the size of the ground is the purchasing of portable goal posts and through this funding we will be able to provide them to all teams and fully implement the program we want to have in place.”
“We will also be able to decrease volunteer time as we will be able to run two games side by side on a full size oval which will add to the spectacle and also decrease the overall length of the football day.”
“In all, 22 sets of posts will be provided to assist 34 teams and thus will benefit around 650 boys and girls from clubs including Central Saints, Eastern Rangers, Mooroopna, Nathalia Knights, Numurkah Blues, Northern Eagles, SGR Giants, Southern Stars and Tatura.”
