Rep sides set for country championships

March 6 2009

Shepparton News

The Goulburn North East Football Association will send representative teams to the country championships in Gippsland next month.

Having struggled to attract coaches for its representative teams, the association has appointed two to lead its under-15 and under18 boys in the April 4-6 tournament.

Cobram senior coach Rocky Papalia will coach the under-18 boys squad heading to Morwell, while Steve Bognar will coach the under-15s.

The association originally said it would not send squads to Gippsland due to a shortage of coaches. But a groundswell of support found two coaches and the association has had its late entry for teams at the championships accepted.

"Initially we were struggling simply because of the Summer (Zone) League competition and the resources of players that were drawn to both that and the private Football Skool," association secretary Sam Saracino said.

"With those players already in programs, there wasn't a need for the previous summer program to run in preparation for the country championships.

"This has not been driven by the league, it has been driven by parents, they've got the coaches in place.

"We had advertised for coaches and only got one application, who then withdrew.

"A lot of people were not in a position to commit because of club and zone commitments, family, work and just wanting to have a break."

The league's other representative teams to play later in the year are faring well, with five out of six appointments made for its under-11 to under-13s boys and three girls' teams.

There will be try-outs on Monday night for under-15 boys wanting to go to this year's country championships in Morwell.

Trials are open to boys born in 1994 and 1995, starting at McEwen Reserve from 6 pm on Monday night.