The Goulburn Campaspe Junior Football League and Shepparton District Junior Football League will kick off this weekend, with hundreds of Echuca-Moama and district junior footballers running out on grounds across the region.
At Moama, junior president Ben Hearn said his players couldn't be more excited to play football this weekend.
“At Moama we have 140 kids in our junior program, and also another 98 in the Auskick system which also starts this Sunday,” Hearn said.
“It’s a combined 240-odd young people about to hit actual game time this weekend.
“I know the kids have really missed it after last year and probably appreciate it a lot more, the opportunities.”
With the Goulburn Valley League and Murray Football League junior grades already underway for some Echuca, Moama and Echuca United teams, Hearn said it would be fantastic to get all junior teams back up and running after Sunday.
“Another 200 (at Moama) have had to wait as their matches hadn't started,” he said.
“I think even the excitement they're bringing to the training runs, leading up to the first game, it’s almost like no-one has ever played before.
“It’s almost like that experience has been regenerated for everyone.
“It's just the anticipation - and it's not winning or losing - it's just getting back out there and not taking these opportunities for granted.
“Missing last year has left that real void.
“Community football is great at senior level, but it has so much to offer at junior level as well – it really ties everything together.”
Over at Lockington-Bamawm United, junior co-ordinator Greg Brentnall said excitement was palpable at the club ahead of the season-opening weekend.
“It seems like a long time since last year,” he said.
“We've had good numbers, and there has been plenty of enthusiasm.
“As a junior co-ordinator, it's great to see smiles on faces and kids getting out there having fun with mates and participating and having a good time.”
Fielding its under 12 and under 14 teams in the Goulburn Campaspe League, and a combined under 16 team with Leitchville-Gunbower in the Shepparton District League, Brentnall said it was important to give every kid an opportunity to play football this year.
“With the Heathcote and District League they changed it from under 17 to under 18, which we felt was too big a step from 14 to 18,” Brentnall said.
“We’ve worked together with Leitchville-Gunbower to provide an opportunity for these players to stay at their own club and keep playing football.”
The GCJFL will begin its season under lights tonight, with LBU hosting Moama in under-14s, while several under 12 and under 10 games are scheduled at Echuca South Recreation Reserve and Victoria Park.
The rest of the round will follow on Sunday.
In the SDJFL, local teams in the under 16, under 14 and Youth Girls competitions start their seasons on Sunday.
Auskick programs are also expected to start on Sunday.
