Also available via the Eastern Football League online.
FOLLOWING a successful year on the field, the St Simons Knights are looking forward to an even more successful one in 2013.
St Simons Community Football Club guernsey. Image courtesy of EFL website (www.efl.org.au)
St Simons prides itself on being a friendly, family-orientated club with a definite community feel.
President Dave Mackay says the club is all about the basics, playing with your mates and having fun.
Anything else is a bonus.
‘We’ve been very excited about playing football, particularly the really young ones. The Under 8’s and 9’s are really keen on participation as they are at that Auskick level,’ he said.
‘That’s what it’s all about – getting out there and having a kick.’
Being one of the smaller, community-based clubs, the Knights fielded nine teams last year, with six being competitive.
Out of the competitive sides, four made finals, with two making it all the way to the revered Grand Final.
The standout side for the 2012 season was the Under 15D side, remaining undefeated throughout the season to win the premiership over the Eastern Lions.
Mackay says he is very excited to see how the playing group will go in the transition to Under 17’s this year.
‘I’m looking forward to the challenge for the boys that were Under 15’s going through to Under 17’s,’ he said.
‘There’s quite a few that will be underage and they’ll get to play with the other Under 17’s, so it will give them a bit of experience at the top senior football.’
This year, St Simons will field a side from Under 8’s through to Under 17’s, with two in both the Under 9’s and Under 17’s, plus a girls side.
The Knights are looking for additional players in their Under 8’s, 9’s, 13’s, 15’s and 17’s teams.
Mackay says the club aims for 24 players per side, so everyone is rotated and gets fair playing time.
If you are interested in joining the St Simons Knights in 2013, contact either president Dave Mackay on 0402 539 536 or registrations officer Adrian Bugeja on 0412 551 186.
St Simons will play a series of practice matches against Upper Ferntree Gully on 7 April, before the home and away season commences on 14 April.
Mackay says the excitement is building, but they need to be careful during the pre-season to maximise their impact in the season proper.
‘Everyone’s happy, but the main thing is that we don’t cop too many injuries. We hope they don’t get too excited,’ he said.
The Knights look set to enjoy and prosper through the 2013 season.
The energy around the club certainly reflects that.
Maddi Vantarakis 