Footy alumni to revisit wins

PLAYERS of premierships past will look back on their glory seasons as part of a joint reunion later this year organised by members of the Ballarat North Football Netball Club.

The event will bring together players from the club’s seniors teams from 1963, 1973, 1983, and 2013, as well as that year’s and 1983’s under 18s, and 1993 reserves.

Organising committee member Peter Carey said it’s important for past players to maintain connections.

“Football clubs are about people, so whilst you’re not going to be having the ultimate success every year, I think it’s important clubs are a vehicle to provide that community connection,” he said.

“Anyone can attend. We’re wanting to reach out to as many past players who were involved as we can, and we’re encouraging anyone with a connection to attend as well.”

A guest panel is set to present during the event.

Rob Waters was the coach for the 2013 seniors team, which will reunite for the first time as part of the event.

He said that season was the start of a golden period for the Roosters.

“We’d lost a couple games during the season. We were the young up-and-coming team and got smashed during the first final,” he said.

“We lost five players to injury and two for the rest of the year. It was a bit to respond to but we stuck at it well and went up against Sunbury in the next grand final.

“We might have had a five-goal zip 10 minutes into the first our way before they kicked the next five, then we took control halfway through the third quarter. We won by 21 points.

“To go on that year and win the flag was huge for the footy club. It was a good start to our little era with a good group of guys for three or four years.

“Some of the players talk regularly but there’s others we haven’t seen for a while. It’ll be great to look back on everything with them and the support staff. There’ll be a lot of exaggerated stories.”

The premiership reunion will take place on Saturday, 15 July at North Ballarat Sports Club.

Tickets are $25 including a one-course meal and can be booked at bit.ly/3opjkvY.