MURCHISON PLAYERS RAPT TO SEE CLUB SAVED

7 March 2015

Shepparton News - Matthew Galea

A helping hand from Shepparton South Soccer Club, Gino’s Pizza and Pasta and Football Institute has ensured Murchison will continue to play in Shepparton Junior Soccer Association this season.

The lack of a coach or soccer expertise in Murchison had the local SJSA side set to disband until their plight was made known to Southerners’ senior coach and Football Institute coach Reno Lia.

Murchison’s Sonya Dalgliesh said that without anyone to coach the team, the players — who come from as far as Nagambie and Rushworth— were going to be directed elsewhere.

‘‘Football Institute had a clinic for two days in December. It was 40°C, but the kids absolutely loved it,’’ Dalgliesh said.

‘‘They ran another one in January and I was talking to Reno and telling him how these boys have played for four years, but we didn’t have a coach.

‘‘I was trying to work out where we could send them, but Reno said we should just try and save the team instead.’’

With the help of his club president, Gino Cirillo, that is exactly what they have done.

‘‘My senior coach Reno told me about the problem and when I heard I thought it was imperative we do something for the kids,’’ Cirillo said.

‘‘I didn’t want to see those kids not playing on a Saturday morning.

‘‘I want to see them playing and continuing to progress because that’s what we need to keep the local competitions going and for the (Goulburn Valley) Suns as well.’’

Between Shepparton South and Gino’s Pizza and Pasta business, the Murchison team has been provided with Shepparton South kit, a set of cones, nine new soccer balls as well as financial support for a coach for the SJSA season.

Gino’s Pizza and Pasta handed over a cheque for $600 to Murchison Primary School, while Shepparton South and other sponsors will help pay for coaching this season.

Dalgliesh said it was an incredible effort from all involved to keep the team going.

‘‘We feel incredibly lucky. We don’t live in Shepparton, so these kids don’t have a lot of options,’’ Dalgliesh said.

‘‘We’re fairly limited in our soccer and really it’s all footy, tennis or cricket for these boys and girls.

‘‘These guys have given these kids an opportunity beyond what they would normally have.’’

 

PHOTO: Joint effort: Shepparton South, Football Institute and Murchison Primary School have come together to ensure the school’s continued presence in SJSA competition.