Country footy: Picola and District league’s Yarroweyah launch plea for players

A country footy club says it will struggle to stay “competitive and viable” if it can’t attract new players for 2022 as it battles to field a senior side.

A Picola and District league club fears it will be unable to “be competitive and viable” this season due to a shortage of players.

Yarroweyah, a club in the state’s north, launched a desperate plea for new footballers and netballers on social media on Tuesday night with the start of the season just over two weeks ago.

In a Facebook post, the Hoppers said senior numbers had not been “satisfactory” during the pre-season.

But in good news for the club, junior numbers have been described as “fantastic”.

“As it currently stands we barely have enough senior players for two senior netball teams and one senior football team,” the statement said.

“To be competitive and viable in both football and netball we will require more players.

“We are asking that all current and perspective players for both netball and football to please attend training this Thursday night.

“This will enable us to have a true indication of our numbers and the future for the 2022 season.

“Please understand that this has been a difficult time for our committee members and coaching staff, and many phone calls, text messages and meetings have occurred prior to this post.”

The Hoppers senior football side finished in 10th on the ladder in 2021 following a shortened season with six wins, seven losses and a draw.

They’re set to play Tocumwal in the opening round of the season.

Yarroweyah’s plea for new players comes just a week after Kyabram District league club Ardmona, which was coached by Shane Crawford in 2021, went into recess for the upcoming season.

Benalla, Port Fairy and Wahgunyah are other clubs to have taken to social media throughout the off-season in a bid to attract new players as well.

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