By David Nagel
There’s something special about the football club – and the people that play for it – at Catani.
It’s an amazing place where special memories are made, and strong friendships are formed, in a small community that is as tight as any you will ever see.
And the opportunity has now arrived for young families to join the party after the Catani Junior Football Club recently became affiliated with the West Gippsland Junior Football League.
It means Catani has now become a standalone junior football club once again; with a new and vibrant committee keen to make the dream of having Under 10s, 12s and 14s pull on the famous navy blue at Taplins Road this season.
And there’s a very strong incentive for families to make it happen.
Not only is Catani looking for new players to join its family-friendly community, but the club is offering ‘No-Fee’ football for those who play at the club.
Catani JFC President Rhiannon McFarlane explains in more detail.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have some great sponsors and have some tremendous donations come in, so we’re offering ‘No-Fee’ football for all players,” McFarlane said.
“That’s everything, all uniforms, even a training top, all your fees, everything for free.
“We understand the cost of living is making it hard for everyone, so it’s a great opportunity for people to get involved at a great club and do it without the added costs.
“Catani is not far from the bigger towns around the region, so we’re really hoping we can attract young families through the doors.”
The Catani JFC president said it was massively exciting to have the junior club back in town.
“It’s really important for small communities like Catani to have juniors,” McFarlane said.
“The football club at Catani is so important to the community and in order to keep that thriving we need to get people in young and playing juniors.
“It’s a really strong family club; we know names like the McFarlane’s, McDonald’s, Fitzpatrick’s, Williams’ and all of those, and we just want people to come out and enjoy the atmosphere that we’ve known about for so long.
“We’ve got a vibrant committee, full of energy and passion, and we’re keen to have a great year and build it up over the years.
“It’s one club at Catani; seniors, juniors, netball…we’re one club and we all take care of each other.”
McFarlane explained that boys and girls of all levels are all welcome to play in ‘Mixed’ competitions at the club.
“We’d love to have a standalone girls’ team down the track, but right now all of these teams will be mixed for boys and girls,” she said.
“We’ve been accepted into the West Gippsland Junior Football League, so we play clubs like Nar Nar Goon, Tooradin, Kooweerup, Warragul, Drouin, Nyora…all those towns…and that’s really exciting.
“If we can field 10s, 12s and 14s…that would be amazing.”
Catani Junior Football Club will launch its season at the ‘Friday Night Lights’ family night, beginning at the Catani football ground at 5.30pm this Friday 16 February.
Launch?
There will be a jumping castle, a slip-and-slide, inflatables, people in costumes, and the club will start registering players.
McFarlane said there’s one thing that can be guaranteed.
“Whoever comes along can expect a warm welcome; everyone belongs here; everyone, of all ages and abilities, will be made to feel part of the club,” she said.
“We want everyone to feel welcome and feel like they have a place to call home.
“Our priority is to have kids out on the field and having fun.”
