PLAYERS from the Under 10’s boys team and the Youth Girls division of the Warragul Colts Junior Football Club represented their team at the launch of the 2015 AFL season last month.
Above: Western Bulldogs Captain Bob Murphy with Callum Linford. Supplied.
First published in the 10 April 2015 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. Please note the Lightning Premiership has since passed.
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Callum Linford and Tayla Lochki joined players from 500 other clubs from across the country in the event held on Wednesday 25 March at Etihad Stadium.
Current captain of the Western Bulldogs Football Club and past player for the Warragul Colts Bob Murphy also attended the day.
Warragul Colts president Tony Linford said it was “a great day and a fantastic opportunity for the kids”.
After the official launch of the season, the children were invited on to the ground to meet the captains of each team and have a “kick-to-kick” with them.
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The Warragul Colts’ season will begin on Sunday 12 April with the lightning premiership.
The lightning premiership will take place at Downton Park in Yarragon.
It will run from 08:30 until 17:00 with each game taking 20 minutes instead of the usual 40 minutes.
The Warragul Colts will compete against 13 other teams in the Under 10, 12 and 14 divisions.
“The event showcases ALL the teams playing in the Warragul and District Junior Football League where a team plays two other teams to try and make it into the final,” Mr Linford told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.
“It’s a big day with lots of kids and families attending to see how their clubs are performing.
“I would liken the event to the NAB Cup held over a single day.”
The Youth Girls team is welcoming members from the age of 12 to 18 to join in time for the beginning of the AFL’s women’s league in 2017.
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For more information, visit the Warragul Colts website, their Facebook page or contact the Youth Girls coach, Dianna Alweyn on 0407 023 704.
Colts in China
Mr Linford also said his team was involved in plans to bring the Youth Girls program to China.
“The Colts have been approached by the Catani football club which has a sister club relationship with Chinese football clubs in the Macau region of China,” he told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.
“The Colts will be assisting in forming Youth Girls teams for the area which involves sending coaches over to help with mentoring and coaching AFL football to Chinese Youth Girls in middle schools, forming football teams and setting up committee’s to run these clubs.
“It will also focus on trade and showcasing what the regions of Cardinia and Baw Baw have to offer. It is also envisaged that delegations of investors will attend the region for future business opportunities in particular for the dairy industry.”
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