A historic nation footy and netball membership devastated by floods and participant shortages is not going to subject senior groups this yr, within the hopes it may well regroup in 2024.
The Corowa-Rutherglen Football Netball Club’s amenities have been utterly inundated when floodwaters breached the Murray River’s banks in November.
In a gathering on Monday night time, a majority of members voted to forgo the 2023 season, whereas nonetheless fielding groups within the under-15s, under-17s and C-grade.
Secretary Rowena Black mentioned the choice had not been taken flippantly by the membership, which has produced a number of AFL gamers and coaches.
“There were past players there who have been connected to the club for decades that … had a tear in their eye, they were really heartbroken,” Ms Black advised ABC Radio.
Former membership gamers embody Coleman Medallist and North Melbourne flag winner turned Sydney Swans premiership coach John Longmire, ex-Carlton coach David Teague, Collingwood premiership defender Mick Gayfer, and Carlton 201-gamer Ryan Houlihan.
Ms Black mentioned shifting demographics within the NSW-Victoria border area had contributed to the choice.
“There are too many player spots, not enough players,” she mentioned.
“The population base is obviously ageing and … we’re really looking at how do we keep that young group of people in our area that want to play here.”
Ms Black mentioned the membership will contact sponsors that had signed up for two-year offers.
“We will definitely be going to them and having a conversation and saying, ‘Look, we will … pause the sponsorship this year and we would love to see you guys get back on board next year’,” she mentioned.
“Our sponsors are fantastic.”
The membership, shaped in 1979 when the Corowa Spiders and Rutherglen Redlegs merged, was based because the Border United Football Club in 1877, and has produced quite a few VFL and AFL stars.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
