I HAVE one major concern since the move by the Garfield football and netball clubs to the WGLFL and that is the impact the move is having on young children, teenagers and young adults who play football and netball, their interaction with the opposition and their peers. Young players have been denied the opportunity to establish themselves as recognisable sportspeople with local opponents they normally associate with through schools, parties, employment or through family and friendship association. Due to enormous distances between teams Garfield now competes with, there is no real opportunity for the young people to form lasting friendships, relationships or rivalries with opposing players and spectators.
From general observation over the past few games I have noticed an absence of life at games. The netball courts are minus the hordes of children who would otherwise remain and shoot goals while their mums play or watch. The surroundings of the football ground are empty of children running and screaming in packs while their older brothers play kicktokick amid the stream of cars trying to find a park. I don’t see groups of teenagers vying for the attention of their counterparts and friends as they walk continuously around the oval. There is no anticipation of playing against friend or foe initiated in junior ranks and perpetuated at a senior level that was so obvious in the former West Gippsland competition.
Our players lack any real opportunity to establish a formidable reputation and friendly rivalry with neighbouring clubs as we are no longer included in real local competition, nor do the teams share equal media coverage with many opposition sides. We keep abreast of the news at Drouin and Warragul football and netball clubs due to the coverage provided by local papers but little is included about other geographically isolated clubs in our league.
Local sport is not just about playing a game; it’s also about what’s occurring off the field that is important to the establishment and future of any club. Local football is about promoting relationships, reputations and the opportunity to brag with the opposition without having to travel 250km return to do so.
Marg Bogart,
Garfield.
