By David Nagel
Kooweerup will host the 2023 West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) grand final on Saturday 16 September after the host venue was ratified at a meeting between the WGFNC and its member clubs on Tuesday night.
Kooweerup won hosting rights to the 2022 grand final, but was forced to hand over the biggest day of the football and netball season to Garfield after the condition of its ground deteriorated.
There are no such concerns this season, with the facilities at Kooweerup in pristine condition just seven weeks out from this year’s season decider.
WGFNC Operations Manager Brett Tessari said Kooweerup was the ideal choice to host the big dance, having met several key criteria.
“We were really keen where possible to plan ahead and try and keep the grounds neutral, based on the teams that will participate in finals, but we also wanted to keep the grand final as central as possible, and Kooweerup ticks that box,” Tessari said.
“The ground is also in amazing condition at the moment, and the netball courts have a real atmosphere about them, so we’re really excited to be able to host the 2023 grand final at Kooweerup.”
Tessari said there was keen interest from clubs to host finals action this year.
“There were eight out of the 12 clubs that applied to host finals, and we thank the clubs for that, but unfortunately there are only six games so we couldn’t accommodate the applications of all clubs,” he said.
“There are some fantastic facilities right across the competition, but we think Kooweerup is a great choice to host this year’s grand final.”
Tessari was also excited about the balance of this year’s competition, with all teams going in with a confident shot at this year’s title.
“It’s a dream to be honest, and to have all six teams that can win on any day just makes it all the more exciting,” Tessari said.
“Phillip Island knocks over Tooradin, Nar Nar Goon rolls Inverloch, and we had Warragul Industrials get past Phillip Island on the weekend…we just don’t know who is going to win on any given day.
“Cora Lynn rolled Nar Nar Goon, then got close to Tooradin…it’s going to be a fantastic finals series this year.
“And then you’ve got teams like Tooradin, Dalyston and Nar Nar Goon trying to stop Inverloch from going back-to-back in the netball.
“The build-up, on-field and on-court, is absolutely perfect.”
Kooweerup football president Jake Neill said the club was thrilled to win back hosting rights this year.
“It’s fantastic to get it back…it was so disappointing to not host it last year due to the condition of the ground, but it’s come up great, it’s mickey mouse this year, and we’ll be right to go,” Neill said.
“It’s going to be fantastic to showcase our facilities, it’ll be good for the club, and we’re very confident we’ll put on a great show.
“We can’t wait.”
WEEK 1
Saturday 26 August
First Elimination Final (3 v 6)
Venue: Inverloch Recreation Reserve
Sunday 27 August
Second Elimination Final (4 v 5)
Venue: Western Park, Warragul
WEEK 2
Saturday 2 September
Second Semi-Final (1 v 2)
Venue: Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve
Sunday 3 September
First Semi-Final (Winners of Elimination Finals)
Venue: Bass Recreation Reserve
WEEK 3
Saturday 9 September
Preliminary Final
Venue: Dalyston Recreation Reserve
WEEK 4
Saturday 16 September
Grand Final
Venue: Kooweerup Recreation Reserve
