SDJFL season to start on Friday with double-header under lights at Deakin Reserve

By Rodney Woods

Apr 20, 2021

Shepparton District Junior Football League's opening round will commence on Friday with an under-10 and under-12 clash being played under lights at Deakin Reserve.

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The Northern Eagles and Central Saints will kick-start the season in both age groups, with the under-10 match beginning at 5.30pm.

This will be followed by the uder-12 encounter at 6.30pm.

Not only will the opening fixtures have families fixated on the action, the entertainment off-field will surely drive punters through the gates.

“There’s going to be the AFL inflatable playground, coffee van for the parents and barbecue operating, so both clubs are looking forward to seeing plenty of families and plenty of fun to mark the season opener,” Northern Eagles secretary and treasurer Jason Parker said.

The two matches will launch the 12-round season, with the matches in the final home and away round being played across July 31 and August 1.

League president Mark Lambourn said like many competitions across the Goulburn and Murray valleys, the competition had had a drop off in players signing up.

“From clubland I think they are all in the same boat,” Lambourn said.

“It's not just players, it's volunteers and coaches.

“So we are working together with the clubs to try and attract more people back into the club.

“We are looking at how to retain kids and how to recruit kids.

“Hopefully when footy actually starts and it's back in their face again we will start seeing kids come back again.

“We're not lying, we have had number drop offs, but hopefully we pick that up again when the season starts.”

Lambourn explained how many teams would face off in each age group.

“We've had good numbers in under-12s and under-10s and it looks like we will have nine teams in the under-14s, five in under-16s and six in the youth girls,” he said.

Lambourn said the league's strategic plan was launched on April 19 and included some tools to help clubs recruit more players.

“In that strategic plan, it clearly documents what we are going to do to help support the clubs not just in 2021 but in 2022,” he said.

“We are going to give them some tools that will stand them in really good stead and make them really strong as we continue to move forward in the season.”

Other opening round fixtures are:

Under-10:

Saturday, April 24

Mooroopna Cats White v Nathalia Knights

Southern Stars Gold v Southern Stars Black

Eastern Rangers v Numurkah Blues

Bye - Tatura Bulldogs

Under-12

Saturday, April 24

Mooroopna Cats Blue v Eastern Rangers Red

Nathalia Knights v Southern Stars Gold

Numurkah Blues v Southern Stars Black