Sport
1 April, 2025
Dunolly return to U17.5 after 13 years
For the first time in over a decade, Dunolly Football Netball Club will field a football under 17.5 side for the upcoming season.
Reintroduction into the MCDFNL’s oldest junior competition has been a key objective for Dunolly since its last season in 2012.
Those ambitions took a hit last season when the club registered a U17.5 team before being forced to pull out on the eve of round one.
However, there seems to be no reason to cancel this season’s reboot, something club president Billie Goodwin said is critical for the club’s present and future.
“These boys have been supportive and understanding, some of them missed out because we pulled the pin the week before round one last year so they are really happy to come back,” she said.
“We did lose a few each year, they went and played for someone else and unfortunately it’s difficult to get them back.
“If we lose our U17.5s, we haven’t got people stepping up in the reserves and seniors, so it will be great to watch these kids come through.”
While the football netball club has U11.5 and U14.5 football sides and a well-established junior netball program, fielding older junior sides has been an issue for other sporting clubs in the Dunolly region.
According to Goodwin, providing local opportunities for kids to play sports improves their physical wellbeing and helps build valuable connections in the community.
“I’m a big believer that every kid should have sport in their life,” she said.
“It’s just great to keep it local as well, Dunolly is a very small town and we are all pulling from the same people.
“The parents are stoked because if we lose these U17.5s, we would probably lose U14.5s next year as well.
“We are very thankful for the parents that have stood by us and some that have actually come back now that we have our side together.”
The U17.5 side will begin their season at Deledio Recreation Reserve against a Carisbrook side aiming to go one step further after their grand final loss to Maldon.
For Goodwin, results are the least of her concerns, wishing all players enjoy the experience and welcoming other juniors to come on board.
“We have quite a few who have to step up this year, with the under 14.5s helping, we had enough to field a team and we are still trying to build a team,” she said.
“I can’t wait for the season and we welcome any new players of all abilities who want to come down.”
For more information, or to register a junior’s interest, contact Dunolly Football Netball Club junior football coordinator Ross Pechlivanidis at 0415 926 533.