Tara Murray
The search is on for youngsters keen to play football.
St Albans Football Club is looking for junior players ahead of the upcoming Western Region Football League season.
The club had 237 registered juniors for the 2019 season, but only 156 juniors have registered for this season so far.
Junior football co-ordinator Laura Kretiuk said a decline in players was something many clubs are feeling after 12 months off sport due to COVID-19.
“Our vice-president Nick Schneider has spoken to some families who have not yet registered for 2021 and the consensus is that they (the players) have lost interest in playing sport after not having a season go ahead in 2020 – the motivation has gone especially within the 14-16 age group,” she said.
“The numbers are low and of more concern is the number of youths in the Brimbank community opting not to play sport, hence the reason STAFC are offering sponsorships to players that would like to get active and have some fun while they are keeping fit.
“St Albans and Kings Park falls under the ‘older’ suburbs within Brimbank and we constantly compete with the other fringe suburbs which house new estates such as your Caroline Springs, Hillside, Burnside and Taylors Hill.”
Ms Kretiuk said some parents were pushing their children towards other activities that have minimal or no contact at all because of COVID-19 concerns.
The Saints are looking for players for their under-9s, 10s, 12s, 14s and 16s, while there is spots in the under-18.5 program and Auskick.
The club is offering reduced rates for juniors this season.
Details: stalbansfootyclub@gmail.com or contact Laura on 0417 525 511.
