Western Rams’ league future to be decided by potential rivals
Western Rams’ playing future will be decided in seven days when Western Region clubs vote on the club’s entry at the league’s AGM.
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In seven days Western Rams’ playing future will be decided.
The wantaway Riddell District club is aiming to join the Western Region league in 2024.
Already approved at board level, WRFL clubs will vote on the Rams’ acceptance at the league’s AGM on December 5.
The Rockbank-based club owns Victorian local footy’s longest losing streak, currently 69 games.
New president Stephan Lalli-Cafini said the move would have several benefits.
“Absolutely, I think it will give us a more competitive standpoint,” he said.
“I think divisional football gives us an opportunity to play teams around our level, not just having one division and getting caught out playing the top teams every time.
“Recruiting wise, if we’re not looking like losing by 100 points every week it will entice players to come.
“We’ve got a good family culture at our club and the ability to be in games will be good as well.
“Off the field we’re positioned really well, it’s probably the first time in a long time we’ve made profit.
“We want to build a good financial culture and good family culture and make it a good place to be.”
The Rams have appointed Ash Pritchard as coach for 2024.
The experienced mentor arrives at Ian Cowie Reserve after a number of years in Queensland and NSW, leading the likes of Lismore Swans, South Cairns Cutters, as well as time at Sunbury.
While the football club has struggled in recent years, the Rams’ netball program has been a shining light.
However, it also proved a catalyst for change this year.
“We had a strong netball program and it looked like a lot of players were going to walk away,” Lalli-Cafini said.
“The football program has obviously struggled for a lot of years now, it was driven by myself, if we’re not going to have strong netball and field four teams and the football is still battling then it was worth having a look.
“Netball (in the WRFL) is played on Friday nights at Whitten Oval.
“We’ve had a lot of old netball players say they’ll come back and play, so we’ll still have netball teams.
“Obviously, it’s not as connected as the Riddell District in playing on the same day at the same ground but still connected through functions and links to the club.”
Heading into the vote, Lalli-Cafini is confident in being accepted.
“We’ll present to the WRFL teams and have the vote on the night,” he said.
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“I feel like the clubs will be pretty accepting, we are from the west, we’re not a country team, so hopefully they’ll vote to have us in.
“I’ve done a lot of work with David Jennings, the CEO, to make sure we’re the right fit for them and they’re the right fit for us. Working with him has instilled a lot of confidence.”
Western Rams admission would lift the WRFL to 23 clubs with the league’s divisional structure to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the club’s departure would return the RDFNL to a nine-club competition, cancelling out the arrival of Kyneton from the Bendigo league.
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