Rovers stay with Goulburn

 

December 7 2010

Shepparton News

Benalla Rovers have been rejected by Albury Wodonga Football Association and will again play in the Goulburn North East next season.

The Rovers needed a two thirds majority vote from the existing AWFA clubs at Sunday night's annual general meeting, but received only half in what club president Peter Gebauer described as a disappointing and surprising outcome.

"We thought we put a good presentation to Albury Wodonga. It came out of the blue. We actually thought we were in, but it wasn't to be. It's hard to take in at the moment," he said.

"But it's all been resolved and we're staying with the Goulburn North East, we just have to work harder to make ourselves stronger."

One of those efforts will be the fielding of a senior men's team next season, with the club soon to launch an advertising campaign to attract new players.

Gebauer said some players may receive petrol money, but none would get match payments.

"We can only try and give it our best shot. We've got players here that could make very good senior players, but we need a few more experienced and stronger players too. It will be hard for the first couple of years with the seniors, but we have to try," he said.

". . .There will definitely be no player payments. We have to build it up as a good family club again and use the local kids as much we can."

The Rovers last played in the AWFA in 2008 before joining the GNEFA.

Gebauer said there were several issues that prompted the club to attempt the move back, but said he didn't want to publicly air all grievances before a GNEFA delegates meeting to be held this month.

He emphasised the club was happy to return to the GNEFA, but did add that a burning issue was the state of the junior grades.

"There are just not enough kids playing on Sunday there," he said.

"The more kids they have now the better they'll be in the long run. Then they might not need ex-radius players to fill their senior teams and the kids can look up and work towards playing that grade."

GNEFA secretary Megan Carr said the association was happy to have the Rovers confirmed for next season.

"I think we (the GNEFA) have got a lot to offer and hopefully this season it will shine through," she said.