Cobras strike out for new members, sponsors

By Shaun Inguanzo
HANDS UP if you want to play for a four-time premiership football team.
Keep it raised if you can play mid-week, want to make new friends, and could even be a mentor for people less fortunate than yourself.
In a nutshell, that is the MIDDWAY Cobras Football Club, a sporting group backed by not-for-profit group Mental Illness Doesn’t Discriminate What About You (MIDDWAY) and under the umbrella of Dandenong-based Eastern Regions Mental Health Association (ERMHA).
The club is a part of the RecLink football league and plays on Wednesdays at Reed Oval in Doveton, as well as away matches at its rivals’ ovals across Victoria.
Coach Gary Lambert said the club was vying for its fifth straight premiership this year, having had great success in RecLink the past four years.
Yet, amazingly, he said the club was struggling to find new members and sponsors to help it continue its fight for success.
The shortage of players, Mr Lambert said, was because many had retired after last season.
Mr Lambert said the MIDDWAY Cobras catered for all people and anyone who could play on game day was welcome to join.
“We do have players who are personally disadvantaged, or may be unemployed,” he said.
“But we want all sorts of people to come and play, and hopefully we can get some players who will be good role models for these people.
“We are also looking to recruit some female players, too.”
The club is also desperately seeking sponsors for the 2008 season, and hopes local businesses will back the premiership team.
To support or play for the MIDDWAY Cobras contact Gary Lambert on 0425 763 072.