Community Cup to showcase Geelong's best football talent

NORTH Geelong Warriors will hope to repeat last year’s success and claim its 22nd Geelong pre-season tournament this weekend, as the region’s major football clubs converge on Batesford for three days of action.

The annual lead-in event, the Geelong Community Cup, will feature six local sides: hosts Bell Park Sports Club, Barwon Soccer Club, Geelong Soccer Club, Geelong Rangers, North Geelong Warriors, and Corio Soccer Club.

The football tournament has historically been a celebration of the sport across the municipality, with the venue rotating between clubs each year.

“This year we’re trying to put a team together ready for Round 1, but we will also be mindful with our season a fortnight away,” Warriors captain Ryan Oppermann said.

“There’s definitely a Geelong footballing community and this tournament is terrific for the community each year.

North Geelong Warriors player Ryan Oppermann.

“I think back 15-20 years ago to when I was younger watching this tournament, there used to be a fierce rivalry between each club, and we loved coming down for it.

“If we can get the Cup back to what it once was, it’s going to grow the sport locally.”

Corio’s Darcy Rapa on Geelong Waterfront.

The tournament format is similar to recent years, with two pools of three teams each, followed by a third versus fourth playoff on Sunday ahead of the final between the top two sides.

Pool A comprises reigning cup winners North Geelong, Bell Park and Geelong Rangers, while Pool B comprises Geelong SC, Corio and Barwon SC.

Barwon SC’s Anthony Thomas (right) and Geelong SC’s Daniel Kuczynski (left).

The action starts at 6.30pm tonight (Friday, February 3) between Bell Park and North Geelong, but Bell Park head coach Michael Spasevski said it was a tournament not to miss.

“It’s the only chance these clubs who aren’t traditionally in the same divisions get to play one another, so generally it’s a great buzz.”

“We’re super excited to host this tournament again.

“You’ll get good patronage coming through over the weekend. The tournament certainly gets the local community out and it officially starts the season off for all of our local clubs.”

The Geelong Community Cup fixture:

Friday
Bell Park v North Geelong, 6.30pm

Saturday
Geelong SC v Barwon SC, 1pm
North Geelong v Geelong Rangers, 2.30pm
Barwon SC v Corio, 4pm
Bell Park v Geelong Rangers, 5.30pm
Corio v Geelong SC, 7pm

Sunday
3rd v 4th, 3pm
1st v 2nd, 5pm

Entry is free to spectators for all games, to be held at Bell Park Sports Club, 10 Lynnburn Road, Batesford.