South Morang Lions women’s team forced to pull plug on 2020 season
The NFNL Women’s competition is booming, with multiple new clubs joining its ranks for its fourth season. But the expansion has had a devastating impact on one of Whittlesea’s oldest women’s football teams.
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A lack of players has forced one of Whittlesea’s oldest women’s football teams to disband on the eve of the 2020 season opener.
Despite being listed on the northern football netball league’s website as contenders this year, the South Morang Lions pulled the plug before last weekend’s season opener.
South Morang Football Netball club chairman Wayne Hoare said the club simply didn’t have enough players to compete.
“Last year we finished the season with 16 players and then had about six or seven retire, so we just don’t have enough players to field a team this season,” he said.
“It’s certainly disappointing not to field a women’s team. We’ve had girls since 2014 and have teams going up to the Under-18s and the fact we couldn’t have the adult side for one more year is disappointing — it’s a difficult environment.
Mr Hoare said multiple new teams had joined the league, causing other South Morang players to jump ship.
He also ruled out rumours that the move was related to financial troubles.
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Whittlesea Eagles senior women’s coach Brad Lang said five players and an assistant coach had joined his side from South Morang.
“I was just told South Morang couldn’t get enough players which is sad,” he said.
“Hopefully we can see them back competing again soon.”