WHITE LINE FEVER
It’s game on for more than 7000 local kids as junior footy returns from tonight.
FRIDAY night footy returns to Geelong’s suburbs and parks tonight as hundreds of kids kick off the 2021 season.
The action continues on Saturday and Sunday, with more than 7000 boys and girls lining up in AFL Barwon junior competitions.
After last season was aborted due to COVID, AFL Barwon operations co-ordinator Nathan Ervin urged players to have fun.
“Just enjoy it. Play on is our catchcry this season,” he said.
Geelong’s 2020 junior football season was cut short after just three games, but more than 340 teams are registered to play this weekend — a similar number to 2019.
“We thought there could be a drop-off, and that some of the kids might have found something else to do after the lockdown, but it’s good to see that hasn’t happened,” Ervin said.
“After last year, I think some people were a bit cautious about whether the season would get up, but now that it’s here everyone is excited, and with school going back next week we might see another rush of registrations.”
Alongside established clubs from the Geelong, Bellarine and Geelong and District leagues, junior comps include growing newcomers like Surf Coast Suns (12 teams) and Armstrong Creek Sharks (three). “Footy is booming on the Surf Coast,” Ervin said.
Girls’ football is also growing, with 49 teams registered and an under-10 competition being played for the first time.
“It was a big step up for the girls to go from Auskick to the under-12s and then the
under-15s, but the addition of the under-10s will create a pathway, and help those girls starting out in the game transition to competitive footy,” Ervin said. COVID-safe measures will be in place at junior games, including QR check-ins and social distancing.