Eagles seek to soar with new recruits

THE Golden Plains Soccer Club is gearing up for a new season with its come and try sessions running throughout the month.

The sessions are now in their third week, and dozens of kids have been taking to the field at Bannockburn’s Recreation Centre to the sport.

With the new season on the horizon, coach Anthony Vanjek said he’s keen to build up the numbers.

“Obviously COVID sort of hit us a bit over the last couple of years. We had very good numbers last year but it was so stop-and-start,” he said.

“So, we’re trying to get things moving and create that interest within the community again.

“It’s looking like half and half between kids that have been here already and the others being new kids looking to have a go.”

The club is looking to fill both its boy’s and girl’s mini-roos teams across its under 7s through to its under 16s and 17s squads.

The rebuilding also marks the club’s 10-year anniversary, and comes alongside a wave of recent extensions including a second field with new fencing and lighting the side’s home ground.

New facilities are also in development, and the club will soon make use of additional changerooms and storage space, which Mr Vanjek said will go a long way in ringing in the season.

“It’s all happening for us, and it’s all here for the community to utilise,” he said.

“And as far as the soccer association is considered, it’s all go ahead, 100 per cent, so it looks like we’ve got everything we need to work towards getting the junior teams ready.”

Parent Donna Mott has been attending the sessions since they started, and her son Liam has been a part of the club for three years.

Liam plays in the under 9s, and Ms Mott said it is the communal aspect that she loves the most about the club.

“The club has been extremely welcoming. I’ve never really been involved with any community sports like this but this is just such a warm family environment,” she said.

“We as parents actually enjoy coming as well. Everyone’s so supportive all around, and it’s just great to see the kids enjoying the game.”

The come and try sessions take place at 5pm on Tuesdays for girls and Wednesday for boys, with the juniors soccer season beginning on Sunday, 24 April.