Mitcham Junior Football Club president Craig Giles spoke to EFL Media ahead of the 2018 season, all thanks to Yarra Valley Water and Choose Tap.
Overall, were you satisfied with what the club achieved, both on and off the field, in 2017?
Craig Giles: We were pretty happy with the year as we again increased the number of teams we fielded including new under-10 and under-14 girls teams. Our registrations were at record levels and we introduced a number of food truck social nights that worked really well. A number of teams contested finals and we won an A-grade flag for the first time ever (under-11s) and our under-17s went back-to-back.
Approximately how many teams do you think you will field in 2018?
CG: We will field 17 teams this year made up of four girls and 13 boys teams. We have put a lot of work into Auskick over the last few years and we are excited to be fielding two teams in a competitive age group, the under-11s, for the first time ever.
What has the feeling been like around the club over the pre-season?
CG: Been great so far, most of our teams have good numbers and we have a great set of coaches in place. Apart from our under-17s who train during the week, all our girls and boys teams train over a Sunday morning at Mulluana College and although space does get tight, it’s a great atmosphere to have them all training at the same venue.
If you had to pick one, which team do you think is the club’s best chance of winning a premiership this season?
CG: For one of our teams it’s not about premierships. The boys that form the core of our under-17 boys team haven’t won a game for close to two years. Despite this they’ve stayed together and kept their enthusiasm so when they win their first game this year I reckon the celebrations will be more memorable than a grand final win.
Is there a particular age group of players that you need as soon as possible to fill a team ahead of Round 1?
CG: We would welcome any under-10 or under-16 girls looking to play football and we could do with a couple of additions to our under-13 boys team.
If any players are interested in playing for your club this season, what do they have to do?
CG: Interested families can contact our secretary Glenn Newnham on 0403 121 096, email mitchamjnr@efnl.org.au, or contact us through our Facebook (Mitcham Junior Football Club) site or our Mitcham Junior Football Club web page.
