Goulburn Valley Giants find success through happiness in masters football

Giants media spokesperson Jason Aspland said the side’s main aim was to create a fun and welcoming environment, with good football a happy by-product.

“We went back to what makes footy fun, getting around your mates, celebrating the little things,” he said.

“That steamrolled us into working better as a team and we got across the line playing better football.”

Aspland believes creating a fun football environment begins with an easy initial step.

“The first part is a smile on a face,” he said.

“There are guys out there that don’t touch the ball too much; there are other guys that live with the ball on a string.

“The guy that doesn’t touch the ball much gets a kick or mark and everyone gets around him and lets him know and that becomes infectious across the board.”

Two games remain for the Giants this season, with an away trip to Yarrawonga scheduled for this Sunday.

Their final match will be a fortnight after that against Wodonga.

Aspland said the club was still open to fresh faces signing up, as he pointed out a recent star recruit.

“We had a new guy sign up; he has played two games for us now,” he said.

“He is having fun and wants to sign up and play next year.

“He has got a 60m left foot kick on him, which is pretty handy.”

Training for the Giants is on each Wednesday at Kialla Oval from 6pm.

Aspland said that the masters league did a great job keeping people active and socialising.

“People aren’t playing masters football to win a grand final; that is not why we are there,” he said.

“Masters football is about mental health and keeping people active.

“As the president would say, ‘It’s about bums off couch’; that’s the objective.

“The next few games are about getting as many guys to play the next few games and as many new faces we can to training.”