Armstrong United juniors to take a seat

BUNNINGS Warehouse Waurn Ponds is scoring goals for community sport following a generous donation to one of the region’s youngest soccer clubs.

Armstrong United Football Club was the grateful recipient of 11 folding benches free of charge from the Waurn Ponds business, which will serve as substitute benches for the club’s junior sides.

“We’re five years old as a club with two of those years disrupted due to COVID, but our junior program this year has grown massively,” Armstrong United FC vice president Bec Walker said.

“That’s why community donations like this mean a lot to us, a young and growing club, especially because we don’t get the amount of funding that AFL and cricket clubs get.

“Lauren Schwab (activities organiser) at Bunnings was extremely helpful. We told her what we needed, and she was able to follow through, we were so appreciative, and it is going to help us a lot down the track.”

In addition to three senior sides, Armstrong United FC currently boasts 11 junior teams made up of 110 players.

The makeup includes a Miniroos program, three under 7 teams, four under 9 teams, two under 11 teams and an under 12 side, with more to come next season.

Walker said the primary challenge with numbers was not getting players to the club but attracting coaches to run the teams.

“No matter how often we put the call out, we always have parents having to put their hand up to coach,” she said.

“I’m the vice president and last year I had to coach one of the under 7 teams. Any coaches interested in developing our junior are welcome to express interest.”

Walker said the primary goal for the club moving forward was to remain as community-oriented as possible.

“To any local businesses that see we might be lacking in any way, we are more than happy to accept help in any way,” she said.

“It really does make a massive difference.”

Armstrong United FC’s home ground is located in Central Boulevard, Armstrong Creek.