Game changer for Rupanyup
Rupanyup Football Netball Club will explore a world of new opportunities as LED lighting becomes a permanent fixture at the football ground.
Club leaders believe the completion of a $100,000 state-of-the-art lighting project at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve will be a ‘game changer’ for sport in the Wimmera town.
The Panthers trained under the bright lights for the first time last week – albeit with strict physical distancing.
Senior playing coach Jack Musgrove said the lighting would shore-up sporting opportunities for the rural town.
“We’re pretty excited. The footy club is a pretty big part of Rupanyup, so it’s a big deal,” he said.
“Training wise, this will be a massive improvement – it’s going to be really good for the juniors especially.
“Kids will want to come down and train because it will be under the lights – when it’s cold and you can’t see it makes it a bit tough.”
Musgrove said leaders in Rupanyup spent more than 10 years lobbying the State Government to fund the lighting project.
“It’s been a lot of work in the making from a lot of people on the board, who put in a lot of tireless work,” he said.
“It’s been a bit tough over the past year because we’ve had to get some portables in to get lighting.
“It confined us to one side of the ground, and we had some blokes struggling with eyesight, which makes it a bit of a challenge for them.”
Musgrove said he hoped the lighting upgrades would encourage players to stay with the club.
“I think new lighting should hopefully encourage blokes to stay or come into the club,” he said. “Most clubs have those facilities, so it will be great to match them and maybe even do a little better.”
Musgrove said he hoped the lighting would give players a renewed sense of motivation after spending two months in self-isolation.
“Now we can get out there, see a couple of blokes and kick the footy around. It’s been a tough couple of months trying to find that motivation,” he said. “It will be different not being able to shake hands or high five, but I’m sure we’ll get around it – just to get out for a bit of banter having a kick of the footy will be good for mental health, especially for the juniors.”
Musgrove said training would be adjusted in line with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria training protocols.
“There’s going to be a lot of sanitising of the ball, no tackle, no bumping,” he said.
“It will just be focused on skill. It will be difficult to create a training session, but I’m sure we’ll be able to get around it, obey the rules and have the best sessions we can.”
Funding was delivered through the Victorian Government’s Country Football and Netball Program.
Yarriambiack Shire Council and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy also helped lobby for funding.