Avenel Football Netball Club calls on junior players to join inaugural under-14 outfit

The club has revealed that memberships will be free for the inaugural year, while players will receive shorts, socks and a football jumper provided by the club.

Avenel is one of 10 clubs in the KDL which have indicated their desire to field a side in the upcoming junior non-gender grade.

Players who are aged 14 by December 31 of the preceding season and players aged nine as of January 1 are eligible to participate.

Avenel junior development co-ordinator Adrian Pendlebury encouraged any teenagers without a club or who were hoping to kick-start their football journeys to head to the Swans.

“Juniors play a vital role in ensuring the survival and longevity of local sporting organisations ... we want to try and initiate junior footy again and give kids in our community a place where they feel welcomed,” he said.

“We want to provide a safe and inclusive environment for the teenagers in the community.

“Players will receive free memberships and the club will provide playing shorts, socks and a jumper.”

The club is also fielding expressions of interest for an under-14s coach.

Pendlebury revealed the club would host a family day on March 19 to welcome any new faces.

A training session is planned to take place as well for the under-14s.

Pendlebury, who has recently moved to the area, said he understood the important role of having a junior side for regional sporting clubs.

“Avenel’s cricket club fields two under-13 teams and we would love to try and emulate those numbers and field a side this year,” he said.

“This isn’t just for this year, we want to see Avenel field an under-14s side for many years to come and the flow-on affect that will have for the club is a enormous.”

Anyone interested in joining the Swans’ under-14s program is encouraged to phone Pendlebury on 0437 999 564 or email adrian.Pendlebury001@gmail.com