MCCORQUINDALE Park will become a hive of activity on Saturday as the 2020 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Junior Football League competition kicks off.
After a challenging winter without the game, a large part of normality will return with kids lacing up their boots and running onto the ground to sound of cheers and car horns from their families.
To make the occasion even sweeter, the Eagles will enjoy a home game against Kybybolite and Penola Football Club junior president Ben Wurst believes almost everything was ready for the big day.
“Everyone is very excited and enthusiastic,” he said.
“The oval is prepared, marked up and ready to go.
“There is nothing like enjoying yourself at the football.”
Despite restrictions allowing as many spectators in the venue as possible, while maintaining social distancing, Wurst remains unsure if facilities like a canteen will be open.
But on the field he does not hold any expectations aside from making sure each young player enjoys their day at the football.
“I think the teams will stack up very competitively, but we are just focusing on developing the kids’ skills and attitude,” Wurst said.
“That is going to be the main thing we are looking for because it does not matter if we win, lose or draw.
“It is a bonus we can play football competitively – just look at what is happening in Victoria.”
Eagles’ Junior Colts coach Phil Gartner holds a similar belief.
He said he was not looking for a premiership and was instead focused on the happiness of his team.
“There are no real goals,” Gartner said.
“It is all about development of the young kids and seeing where they start the season and where they finish mentally and physically.
“We just want to see the kids develop so they can go onto the next part of their career.”
To prepare for the new season, the young Penola teams have worked hard on the training track for a month.
Gartner said his young side have jumped at the chance to kick the footy again and have shaped up well for round one.
“Training has been really good,” he said.
“You can see all the kids have missed footy and really want to get back out there.
“They are having fun and it was good for them to see all of their mates again.
“The boys are keen and everything looks pretty good.”
Despite the strong preparation, Gartner said playing numbers have taken a hit after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our numbers have been a bit hit and miss so far,” he said.
“We probably have about 15 to 16 Under 14’s, topped up by some younger fellows and school boys who will come and play for us.
“We also lost a couple of kids who are stuck over in Victoria as well.”
Unfortunately the amount of available players is also a concern for the Eagles’ Senior Colts squad.
Team coach Jamie Morton said injury has created a few problems ahead of the opening match.
“Unfortunately a couple of injuries to some of our older lads means we will be a bit short with playing numbers,” Jamie Morton said.
“But this provides a great opportunity for a few younger lads to step up.”
However, Morton remains confident his team can mount a challenge for the big prize after falling at the final hurdle last year.
“We have about a month of training under our belts and I feel every coach and player aims to play finals,” he said.
“We hope to improve the players’ skills and knowledge of the game, which will benefit us going into the season ahead.
“The whole team is pretty keen to be back and rolling again, not just playing, but training with their mates as well.
“I feel confident in the ability of the team and look forward to the entire season.”
The final step of preparation before the shortened 2020 season will take place at McCorquindale Park tomorrow night, with jumper presentations to be held from 5.30pm.
