Invitation to play

Stawell Pioneers Soccer Club will host a come-and-try day for prospective players at North Park on Sunday.

The club is in its second year of existence and is recruiting players for the 2020 South West Victoria Football Association season.

Junior players aged between nine and 16 will kick off at 1pm and seniors will start at 3pm.

Gary Bloomfield will coach senior team next season.

Committee member Rob Lembo the said anyone with an interest in soccer was encouraged to attend the tryouts.

The Pioneers recently participated in a Naracoorte Multicultural Soccer Carnival where former Bahraini international soccer player and human rights activist Hakeem al-araibi played a game with the team.

The Pioneers finished runners-up in a B Division final at the carnival.

The team also hosted trials for 2020 junior country championships with a good turn-out of young talent from across the south-west region, including several Stawell players.

At the club’s annual meeting, president Jason Oosthuizen acknowledged the outstanding work of the committee in its inaugural year, with the club in a strong financial position and its seniors playing finals.

Mr Oosthuizen said five new committee members had joined for the 2020 season, which would help to ensure continued growth.

He said anyone wanting more information about the come-and-try day or the club could call Rob Lembo on 0419 886 355 or himself, Jason Oosthuizen, on 0455 746 642.