Long bombs were booted and goals netted as Dookie United hosted a come-and-try day on Sunday.
After making the decision at the end of the 2024 season to switch from Kyabram District League to Picola District Football Netball League, Dookie United decided to host the event in an effort to boost numbers in the lead-up to pre-season.
With the offer of a free barbecue and a light training session, Dookie United president Chris Ludeman watched a wave of junior and senior participants arrive.
Ludeman said Sunday’s event was a great opportunity for people to get to know the club’s culture and what Dookie United is all about.
“Dookie is a great family club, that is the main reason (people should join),” Ludeman said.
“We are a family-orientated club in both football and netball.
“We have five grades of football, plus Auskick, and eight grades of netball, plus NetSetGo.
“If you have got a kid five or six years old or older, we will likely have a team for them and their brothers and sisters.”
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Lawson McDonald, 12, bursts through congestion. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 11
Harriet Dickins, 12, looks to launch a right-arm rocket. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 11
Maddi Dyer was zipping around the court. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 11
Riley Boyd, 9, waits for a chest mark. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 11
Harriet Dickins, 12, Miley Williams, 15, Zara Ludeman, 15, and Bonny Galt, 15, practice some court drills. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 11
Dookie United's future stars warm up on the court. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 11
Noah O'Donnell, 10, boots a long bomb. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 11
Zara Ludeman, 15, goes for goal. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 11
Emma McColl flies for the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 11
Nyah Clarke, 10, takes a strong grab. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 11 of 11
Dookie United's senior footballers warm up. Photo by Rechelle ZammitLudeman said that the come-and-try day had proved a success, with a number of families signing up at the Thunder for 2025.
“We had a good array of juniors and seniors there in netball and football,” he said.
“We had quite a few new families come along, which was the aim of the day to see if there were any new families out there that wanted to play for Dookie.
“We got three or four out of it so that is a tick the box, I think.”
Sunday’s event was also an opportunity for potential players to meet the club’s senior coaching teams in both A-grade and senior football.
Both Laura Henderson (A-grade) and Travis Waters (senior football) are already in the midst of constructing new game plans for 2025, as Ludeman said that pre-season is coming up fast.
“Pre-season will kick off next week, it’s full-on isn’t it?” he said.
“Don’t get much of a break.
“Senior football and netball and some of the junior footballers and netballers will join in with the seniors as well.”