By Ben Hope
AFTER a six-year hiatus the Keysborough Eagles Junior Football Club will return to the Dandenong and District Junior Football League (DDJFL) this season, thanks to a resurgence in junior player numbers.
Club president Carl Juckert said the club stopped competing in the district league six years ago after membership fell to only five players.
“Six years ago we only had five kids but last year we had 78 so we want to have a few sides in the Dandenong and District League this season,” Juckert said. “We are still sorting out the details but we are looking to attract nine to 12 year olds to play competitively in the league.”
Juckert said the success of the Auskick program combined with new housing in Dandenong was beginning to attract more junior players back to the game. “The Auskick program has really helped as kids see it at AFL games and want to get involved,” Juckert said. “Once the kids register and get involved in the Auskick program they then want the chance to play the game competitively.”
The club has also worked hard to increase its junior players, delivering more than 2000 brochures to the 12 primary schools in Dandenong.
“We have worked hard to attract more players and new housing developments like the one on Cheltenham Road has brought more young families back to the City of Greater Dandenong and that also has a positive effect on our player numbers,” Juckert said.
“We will need a little TLC to get it up and running again but so far the DDJFL has been pretty keen to help us.”
The club will continue to run the Auskick program but will also include competitive matches.
“We are hoping our players can have the best of both worlds with an Auskick session to develop their skills in the morning and a competitive game in the afternoon,” Juckert said.
Once the number of players for the 2010 season has been confirmed the club will look at buying new uniforms.
“The uniforms will be the same as they were before the club left the league; a purple jersey with a yellow eagle,” Juckert said.
The club will hold a registration day on 21 February to encourage new players between the ages of nine and 12 to sign up for a team.
The day will kick off at 10am until 12 pm at the Keysborough Community Oval, next to the Keysborough Park Primary School, Loxwood Avenue, Keysborough. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Carl Juckert on 9773 9679.
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