The Barooga Sports Club and the Barooga Football Netball Club have signed on to continue a partnership that has been ongoing for more than 40 years.
Barooga Sports Club president Gary Hunt said the strong connection between Barooga Sporties and the football-netball club remained as tight-knit as ever.
“We are very proud of our strong connection to Barooga Football Netball Club and understand the importance of our role and involvement.”
Mr Hunt said small communities had suffered greatly due to lockdowns through the pandemic and that sporting clubs and young people had been particularly hit hard.
“We have seen the ongoing impacts of this with a number of country clubs going into recess or even folding and are committed as a sports club to assisting wherever we can, but importantly in our own small township.”
Barooga Football Netball Club president Jamie Robinson said the club, like others in the region, was the glue which helped keep communities together.
“On top of the 130 footballers and netballers that play each week, we have volunteers and supporters, for many of whom their day at the footy or netball is where they get to take their break from work or come in from the farm to socialise. It’s such an important thing to do.”
Mr Robinson said the club wasn’t only a place for young people to play sports but was also a vehicle for personal growth.
“Our club has once again been through a process of re-establishing our own guiding principles of respect, teamwork, connection, spirit and honesty ... instilling these plays a vital role in supporting young people and being a place where they will learn and develop,” Mr Robinson said.
Mr Hunt concurred, saying Barooga Sports Club would continue to support clubs and programs throughout the Cobram-Barooga region.
“Our connection with Barooga however does go right back to our very conception and in that context will always be of special significance to us,” Mr Hunt said.