PLENTY of sunshine is predicted for Millicent in the lead up to Saturday’s Western Border football and netball grand finals at McLaughlin Park.
Hosting the league’s showcase event for the first time since 2014, dry and relatively warm conditions are expected to attract around 3000 patrons to the venue.
It what will be a big day for the club behind the scenes, Millicent’s A Grade netball squad will look to continue its unrivaled dominance of the competition when its hosts East Gambier.
The reigning premiers did lose to the Bulldogs in minor round action this season – a rare occurence for the Saints over the last decade – but remain favourite to retain the silverware.
On the football field, minor premiers North Gambier will take on West Gambier in both the senior and reserves football, with the two clubs both hoping for a double dose of success.
The Tigers and Roos also met in the senior football grand final at Millicent five years ago.
Saints sides to also hold a home advantage are five other netball grades and the Under 18 footballers.
It is only the second time in the 55-year history of the Western Border Football League the season deciders are being played in Millicent.
McLaughlin Park also hosted the Mid South East Football League grand final in 1955 when Glencoe defeated Tarpeena by two points.
A heavy responsibility for staging the day has fallen on Millicent Football Netball Club president Joel Redman.
Mr Redman said the grand finals would be a great event for the district and said Saturday would be a culmination of hard work by many.
“We encourage all to come out and support the day and we get great support from sponsors and businesses in Millicent,” Mr Redman said.
The club leader said there would be plenty of parking nearby on Norm Facey Oval and in the basketball stadium car park.
Given the magnitude of staging a sporting event of this nature, Mr Redman said many volunteer hours had already been devoted to the cause.
“We have four volunteers who look after the oval and the grounds and they do a stellar job,” Mr Redman said.
“On grand final day, we have 85 club members on rosters for the catering and other duties.
“We carried off a great grand final day back in 2014.
“Since then, we have further improved our facilities and they are now the best in the league.
“Over the past five years, we have built the new football changerooms, an electronic scoreboard and improved the roadworks and fencing.
“Wattle Range Council has helped us with grants and is doing some minor work on the interior roads this week.
“The other sporting clubs who use McLaughlin Park are assisting.
“The cricket oval is being used for car parking while the footballers can do their warm-ups on the soccer ground.”
Mr Redman anticipates there will be a windfall benefit to Millicent due to hosting the grand final.
“We pushed hard for the rotational hosting system back in 2013 and now it is fair for all clubs.”
Elsewhere around the region, the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara grand finals will be staged at Penola, while the Mid South East preliminary finals will be held at Mount Burr.
