Twelve Murchison kids are trying their feet at competitive football this season as the first-ever Murchison Football team takes to the field.
“My twin boys made noises last season that they wanted to play football however we continued with rugby as there wasn’t a football team,” Murchison Football team manager Jessica Topping says.
“This season they made the same noises and I happened to be at a school meeting where Peter Grigg, Murchison schools sport coordinator, was expressing how it would be great to have a sports hub as opposed to just rugby/netball clubs here in Murch, so I had a chat with him about the boys wanting to play football and it went from there.”
The team practices at the same time and day as rugby and netball, making it a convenient option for kids and their families.
“The Nelson Bays Football Club and Richmond Football Club couldn’t have been more supportive in helping us get up and running. The team has two home games in the first five weeks which means less traveling for the students,” Jessica says.
The games are hosted at the school and Jessica says that while football is new to all of them, she can already see the benefits of learning new techniques, staying active, and continuing to develop social skills.
“We have three girls in the team which is great, and we have been lucky with a few dads stepping up to learn how to play the game, run the practices, and coach the kids,” Jessica explains.
“It’s going to be a neat season as we all learn and grow.”
