Rams to pursue night football

Natimuk United football and netball leaders are working on plans to present a night fixture at Natimuk Showground later this year.

They are keen to exploit the potential of new floodlights at the reserve and are confident the lighting is compliant for night football.

The club is now busy trying to find a club willing to be part of a Horsham District league showcase match.

The new lights, which footballers have been using for training, went on public show for the first time last week during an interleague training session.

Rams committee member Murray Wilson said the new facilities represented an enormous opportunity to promote the league, Natimuk and Horsham district, as well as the club.

“We’ve spoken to a couple of clubs to gauge interest and exploring if anyone wants to take up the offer,” he said.

“It is a fantastic set-up and we’re keen to literally put the spotlight on our club, league and community.”

Mr Wilson said there was an obvious need for

the club to ensure it covered all issues associated with presenting a night game.

“For example, we need to make sure there is adequate lighting for netball and spectators and cover all safety issues,” he said.

“We consider this as something worth pursuing and we’re quite excited about what it might mean. We will be talking further with the league and clubs to see what they think.

“We’re pushing to have a night game later this year, but if we can’t pull it off this season we would certainly get it cemented in for next year.”

Mr Wilson said the concept fitted neatly into a rolling theme across the league with clubs now the beneficiaries of major infrastructure upgrades.

“The opportunities to show off the league are growing, with developments at district league grounds, and now, with four big light towers, we’re keen to put our hand up,” he said.

The Natimuk Showground light towers are the result of a $140,467 project involving Natimuk United club, Natimuk Showground management committee, Horsham Rural City Council, the State Government, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria.