Sunbury Lions’ pre-season focus hasn’t just been about what’s happening on the field, but also building relationships in the community.
The Lions, who play in the Essendon District Football League women’s competition, have been looking to try different things during the off season.
Lions’ media liaison officer Emel Ramadan said the team was attracting players from across Hume.
On Sunday, they changed training up, with the players spending the morning at Gladstone Park Tennis Club, in what Ramadan is hoping will be the start of a relationship between the two clubs. Hume Mayor Geoff Porter was also at the morning, along with councillors.
“We’ve done a lot of training,” she said.
“We decided to hold a little camp and offer support to their club and give us an alternative for training.
“We used the footballs and encompassed some tennis skills. The club is giving us support and as we get players from all across Hume, it’s a good thing for both clubs.”
Ramadan said they were after players of all abilities to join the club this year, with no experience necessary.
Kerry Saunders will again coach the side, her fourth year in charge. The Lions pre-season training is held on Wednesday nights.
“We’ve retained a lot of the girls, however some of the girls have moved onto VFL teams. While we would like to have them still play for us, we know we’ve helped in their development.
“We don’t know whether they will be able to play with us as well.
“We’re always after new players.”
The Lions will play in the EDFL competition, after last season playing in a combined EDFL and Western Region Football League competition, where the Lions finished third.
Ramadan said it will make things a bit easier knowing some of the opposition.
“It will be easier as we know the competition and where we are playing,” she said.
“Keilor won the premiership and they were a really strong team. It’ll be interesting to see what it looks like this year.
“You never know what the teams will look like. We’ve got a lot of experience in our group that can manage that.”
Anyone interested in playing in the women’s side can contact Krystie on 0408 557 159.
