By JARROD POTTER
ONE club, one vision, and most importantly, one collective goal.
After years of separation in Pakenham and Cardinia’s soccer community, the junior and senior teams have merged to form Pakenham United FC.
The former Pakenham SC and Cardinia United Junior SC committees were in discussions throughout 2014 and the go-ahead was announced in December, as Pakenham United FC emerged to create a unified soccer presence in this suburb and surrounds.
Pakenham United committee member Rob Hastings – who led the steering committee to merge the sides – said the future is brighter together as one club than it ever could have been separated.
“It’s definitely great for the future of the community because it’s no good having kids who suddenly become eligible to be seniors having to go somewhere else to play,” Hastings said.
“Now youngsters can join our club and know that it is an all-age club for both males and females and that’s what it should be.
“It’s an important part of community life and we’re thrilled.”
With IYU Recreation Reserve at Henry Road rapidly progressing ahead of its 2016 opening, Hastings and the steering committee were determined to get Pakenham soccer to a singular point – one club where players can join at five years old and take that passion all the way to their final game.
“Having the new facility at Henry Road, which will be presented to us for the 2016 season, we just said at that point we need to grow together and not go and present ourselves to a benefactor like the council as two separate entities; it made no sense,” Hastings said.
“It bonds the club with its community – we start them at five -and it’s amazing how talented kids can be if given an opportunity, encouraged by their parents, and we will be a community club.
“The emergence of a single club can only benefit the club, the game and the town.”
The newly formed club will place sides into the Football Federation Victoria (FFV) senior and junior competitions with matches to be played at Lakeside Oval and Cardinia Recreation Reserve.
Registration for anyone interested in joining Pakenham United – with senior and junior, male and female teams present at the club – will be Sunday 1 February at Lakeside Oval, followed practice matches and pre-season tournaments scheduled throughout February for all ages.
Any players interested in joining the club can visit the “Pakenham United FC” Facebook page for more information.
