By Nick Creely
The importance of a clear pathway from junior to senior football can’t be understated.
For St Francis Xavier O.C Football Club and the Narre South Lions Junior Football Club, that very reason has brought them together as one, in a relationship hope can bring the club sustained success.
The two clubs will now share facilities at the highly regarded Strathaird Reserve going forward, in a relationship that will ensure that the Lions can have a pathway to senior football, something previously lacking for both clubs.
The X-Men currently play in Division 4 of the VAFA, and sit in third spot with an 8-4 record, but hope to expand on their current on-field success and look further to the future.
Previously, the X-Men has based itself out of St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield, and joined the VAFA in 2007. The club won its first senior premiership in 2011, while in Division 4.
In a statement on the X-Men Facebook page on 20 June, club president Wayne Delaland stressed the importance of this decision in building a sustainable pathway for both clubs.
“This is an important relationship for both clubs as it now provides the Lions with a pathway to senior football,” the statement read.
“For SFXOC, we will now have junior talent coming up each year which will strengthen our playing numbers and increase our supporter base. We have the view of creating the clubs first ever under 19s squad in the near future.
“We would like to thank the Lions committee for working tirelessly on making the partnership possible. We see a great future for both clubs.”
The X-Men played its first senior game at Strathaird Reserve on 23 June against South Melbourne Districts, winning 22.17 (149) to 9.7 (61) in front of a strong crowd.
With plenty of Lions and X-Men supporters converging as one, it was the signalling of a new era.
It is also expected that the relationship will enhance the Narre South Cricket Club, which currently competes in the Dandenong District Cricket Association.
The DDCA Turf 2 club is heavily involved with the Junior Football Club, and it’s expected to bring more kids and senior players into the club.
