Violet Town is looking for a dozen players to get through season

A second Kyabram District league club has gone public in its plea to attract more players just weeks other another side went into recess. Here’s what’s led to their challenges.

Violet Town is facing the prospect of one of the toughest seasons in its history.

The Kyabram District league club has launched an urgent for players after a talent exodus during the off-season.

Thirty players have left for reasons including retirements and joining other clubs since last season’s elimination final loss to Nagambie.

Violet Town’s public appeal for players comes just weeks after Rushworth announced it would not field a senior side in 2023.

“Our biggest issue is we haven’t had juniors for the past six years, so we’ve been solely reliant on players coming from Melbourne to fill a side,” Violet Town president Matthew Holmes said.

“A lot of other clubs close to us have similar issues with not having enough players so we’ve had to source from other areas.

“We were always worried this situation would happen if they left and they all left in one year.

“Plus we’ve had a few retirements as well, so it adds up.”

Nicholas Brazil is one Violet Town player who has left during the off-season. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Holmes revealed 25 players based in Melbourne would not be returning to the club with the Towners now facing the prospect of not being able to field a reserves side.

But he insists it won’t be a club killer.

“We have roughly 30 players currently sitting on our list plus the under-18s,” Holmes said.

“We’re confident we’ll get a senior side week in and week out.

“We’ve had a number of past players say they’ll help where they can but can’t commit week in week out.”

The issue is if the team gets injuries it will reduce their numbers to fill two sides and Holmes doesn’t want to put pressure on the under-18s to play two games a week all season and burn them out.

The club is hopeful of attracting more players.

“Our worse case scenario is forfeiting a whole raft of reserves games and we don’t want to do that,” Holmes said.

“With the players we’ve got who are willing to help out when they can we think we need another 10 permanent players this season.

“We just need to consistently fill sides.”

Holmes said the worry about the seniors comes despite the club having juniors for the first time in years and the netball numbers being as good as ever.

This is despite the town’s population and the amount of people eligible to play in those age groups.

“We have 700 people in the town but only 60 people who are the right age to play sports (juniors) and that doesn’t transpire to elder sports (like AFL),” Holmes said.

“It’s always a battle to try to make sure we have enough numbers. Even the under-18s we’ve picked up only four who live in Violet Town.

“But at least 10 have had parents play for the club.

“This year we’ve got an under-14s so hopefully it keeps the under-18s sustainable.”

Holmes said despite the senior issues he’s hopeful the club can be competitive and finish inside the finals, which is a top six system not top eight this year.

If you want to join the club, you can either head to their Facebook page or contact Gary Abley on 0437 455 356.