BUSH CATS FORCED INTO RECESS FOR SEASON 2022
Ardmona has dropped a major bombshell on the eve of the Kyabram District League season, announcing its decision to go into recess for 2022.
Taking to social media to break the news, the club cited an inability to attract enough players to field competitive sides as the major factor behind the decision.
“It is with great regret and much consideration that the Ardmona Football Netball Club has made the difficult decision to go into recess for the 2022 season,” the club said in its statement.
“The club has struggled to secure enough players to field a side that would be competitive this year.”
Enduring an incredibly tough period on and off the field, the Bush Cats went an astounding six years — 2121 days to be exact — without winning a game, before Hawthorn legend Shane Crawford came on board as senior coach and inspired a drought-breaking victory against Longwood last year.
A major curveball for the league one month out from the commencement of the season, president Fraser Kerrins said it was disappointing to see one of its clubs be unable to field a side in 2022.
“It is disappointing that just one month out from the season we will not be able to have Ardmona participate,” Kerrins said.
“We have been working with the Ardmona Football Club over the past couple of years and have been in constant communication with their football and netball directors and their executive committee for the last two months.
“Those discussions then intensified earlier in the week and it has been a constant line of open communication that led to them making the decision they made on Friday night.”
As for the future of Ardmona Football Netball Club, the statement stressed this would only be a temporary situation, as the Bush Cats hope to come back “bigger and better” in
2023.
“The committee is going into this recess with a firm plan to return in 2023 with a strong junior development plan and with coaching and admin staff that will attract a competitive and enthusiastic group of players,” the statement read.
“We realise this will be very hard news to take for our loyal Ardy Army but rest assured that 2023 will see the Bush Cats back bigger and better than ever!”