For the community
Football and netball clubs often represent the heart and soul of country towns and districts and Rupanyup in the Wimmera’s east is no exception.
Knowing the organisation you’re looking after represents the glue that binds your community is a powerful incentive.
That is why Rupanyup will always be hard to bump off its course to always threaten and be competitive in Horsham district league.
Panthers president Rodney Weidemann summed it up well when he said: “The club maintains its role as a very important community social driver. We have a duty to people in our district to make it as strong and competitive as possible.”
When it comes to on-field results for the approaching season, a large question mark hangs over the Dunmunkle outfit.
Club leaders are adopting a stoic ‘business as usual’ and ‘more of the same’ approach, but the competition is unlikely to have a clear understanding of the club’s strengths and weaknesses until just before the season starts.
Jack Musgrove has returned to take charge of the senior player group as playing coach, but won’t be back from Darwin until early March.
There is plenty of speculation that when Musgrove does return to the Wimmera he will again have other Darwin players in tow.
In the same breath, there is uncertainty about the availability of northern imports Denny Musgrove and Chris Parris, although the club has secured ruckman Tim Tyler, who has been in Melbourne, and speedy wingman Darby Harrison from Donald.
Campbell Matthews has also made a commitment to play this year.
Mr Weidemann said in terms of players, the club was in ‘neutral’ territory.
“We’ve lost a few and gained a few and we’re still talking to a few others,” he said.
“We’re not sure how many players are coming from the top end – much depends on work opportunities.”
In Musgrove’s absence, senior assistant coach Elliott Kelly and fellow leadership group member Daniel Schaper have been leading pre-season training.
“Our early signing of Jack Musgrove provided a sense of stability,” Mr Weidermann said.
“We’ve also been able to place good leadership around him to provide support.
“Similar to last year, our goal is definitely to try to improve, with a goal for our seniors to make the finals.
“The seconds are all about filling a competitive team, and while our under-17s will still be a struggle, our under-14 numbers are very solid.
“We’re on the back of having no under-17 teams at all and how the wheel turns – we now have some young players coming through.
“Juniors are the lifeblood and the hope is new rules and regulations will make circumstances better.
“And while it’s important, for us it’s not all about making the finals – the main thing is to have a representative team.
“We’re lucky we have great facilities and it’s great to get people out and about.”
Emmetts Group is again on board as the Panthers’ major sponsor and players are building fitness through Monday and Wednesday pre-season training sessions.