Reinforcing a sense of community and town pride are key priorities for Broadford Football Netball Club in season 2023.
Broadford is encouraging its supporters and wider community to get on board and join the club this season – whether it be through buying a membership, sponsoring the club or attending games and functions.
After playing as a merged team with Yea last year, Broadford is set to field two senior football teams solely in Roos’ colours, with plenty of players sticking by the club as well as a list of recruits injecting new blood ahead of the Outer East league division two season.
The club is also looking forward to improving an already strong netball department, with high hopes of bringing home premierships this season after all four teams made the finals last season.
Speaking about the challenges of the past few years, president Bonnie Cavanagh said the club’s resilience and loyalty was key to its survival.
“We had a partnership with Yea last year but we were constantly looking to our future and hustled to recruit more players to build a strong future.”
– Bonnie Cavanagh, president
“When it comes to loyalty, we have a group of players who have really stuck by us, which we are really grateful for.
“Our recruits will be very good on the field and off the field. They have already bought so much to pre-season training sessions and our game plan, and their skills are going to be a massive uplift for the football.”
A big pick-up for the Roos is key position player Dean Tydell, who most recently played for Heathcote league club Mount Pleasant and prior to that Pascoe Vale, while midfielder and forward Jack Stevenson joins from Milawa.
Broadford has also recruited former Mernda captain Josh Delaney and Adam Miles from Woori Yallock, while wingman Rhys Carman returns to the Roos after a year at Seymour.
The division two competition will look different this year, with Yea not fielding any football teams and its netballers playing in division one to fill a gap left after Yarra Glen requested to drop to division two.
Cavanagh said with the stability of Broadford’s football teams ensured under the leadership of senior coach Jayden Welch and reserves coach Alwin Neilson, the club was focused on instilling a ‘we are your club’ sentiment.
“There’s been a significant shift in how we operate over the past five years. We are here for the community, we represent the town, and we really need everyone’s support to help the club be sustainable long-term,” she said.
Aligned with that sentiment, the club has taken on the town’s Auskick program, providing youngsters with a fun platform as an introduction to football, as well as giving their parents an opportunity to engage with the senior club.
Big events at the club this season include First Nations Round on July 8, and a community event at Broadford Shire Hall featuring ABBA tribute band BABBA on July 29.
The club is also hoping for plenty of hometown support for the season opener, when the Roos host Warburton on April 15.
The Warburton clash will be especially key for the netballers, with the A grade game a rematch of last season’s grand final.
With a couple of new faces in the side this year, Broadford A grade, led by coach Ash Chapman and captain Ally Black, will be boosted by goal shooter Chloe Meulenmeesters, and under 17s league best and fairest winner Leah O’Dell stepping up to the top grade.
“We have a huge focus on development across the board, with all under 17s being given opportunities to train and play in higher grades throughout the year. We also make sure that open age players are part of the club’s development pathways,” Cavanagh said.
The netball department also includes experienced coaches Jaimie Hooper, B grade; Kirbie Theuma, C grade; and Renee Sari and Chloe Zol, under 17s.
For the first time in the club’s history, it will have a male netballer, with Evan O’Dell joining the Roos in the under 17s – a competition that allows teams to have up to two males.
Broadford will host a season launch breakfast at the clubrooms on Saturday from 8.30am to 10am, followed by a practice match at Nagambie.
To support Broadford Football Netball Club, people buy a membership by visiting broadfordfnc.com/shop. Keep up to date with all the club’s activities and results by following its Facebook and Instagram pages.
CONTINUE READING THE 2023 LOCAL FOOTBALL & NETBALL SEASON PREVIEW
