By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Caldermeade Cannons are just about ready to fire for their inaugural footy season.
The newly-formed club is the result of the Catani and Lang Lang football clubs coming together to create an opportunity for seven to 14-year-olds to play footy in the local area.
Under a restructure of the Ellinbank and District Football League, the under-16s will be the youngest junior division in the competition.
So, for fear of losing local youngsters to rival clubs in neighbouring competitions, Catani and Lang Lang joined forces to create the Cannons, which will play in the Warragul and District Junior Football League.
Lang Lang Football Club president Sheri Dowson will also serve as president of Caldermeade in its first season. It’s a huge undertaking, but she’s willing to do whatever she can to make sure no juniors miss out on the chance to play in their local area.
“It’s definitely been a whirlwind three weeks,” she told the Gazette.
In that time, the club has formed a full committee, and received a generous $10,000 donation from the local Bendigo Bank branch to aid in their start-up.
“It’s fantastic,” she said.
“This is what both clubs need, otherwise kids couldn’t play for us until they’re 15 and by then it’s too late.”
She said Lang Lang and Catani had their share of teething issues at the start of the Caldermeade process, but added “we pulled together when we had to.
“Neither of us could do it alone and – bottom line – this is for the kids… any kids that want a game of footy.”
Lisa Gadsden is on the general committee at Catani and will serve as Caldermeade’s first secretary.
She said Lang Lang approached Catani with the idea of forming the new club, knowing neither had enough junior numbers in their existing format.
It’s hoped the new Caldermeade sporting precinct will be up and running in time for the 2016 season. It will include both a senior, and a junior ground.
But in the meantime Catani’s Taplins Road ground will host home games this year, while training will be split between Lang Lang and Catani.
Crucially, the Cannons are offering free player registrations for season 2015, with the Lang Lang and Catani senior football clubs covering the costs.
Training is currently being held every Wednesday from 5pm at Catani.
For more information, including on how to register to play for the club, call Lisa Gadsden on 0404 655 645.
