A WARRNAMBOOL and District pre-season competition is likely to include netball in its second year following the success of its inaugural football competition.
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Old Collegians and its Once Were Warriors coterie group ran the Warrnambool and District league-focused competition, which also attracted one Melbourne-based team, at Friendly Societies’ Park on Saturday.
Old Collegians organiser Jason Moloney said its success prompted organisers to further investigate a netball pre-season hit-out for its 2015 fixture.
Moloney said netball was an “80 to 90 per cent” chance to be included at this stage.
Dennington won the inaugural football cup, defeating North Old Boys in the grand final.
Moloney estimated about 400 people watched the day-long competition with roughly $800 in gold coin entry collections donated to Peter’s Project.
“The whole day there was cars around the oval,” he said.
“It was an ordinary day weather-wise and people stayed in their cars.”
North Old Boys has committed to playing in the second cup.
“We offered a place to them and they have gladly accepted it,” Moloney said.
“They had a great weekend.” Moloney said he was unsure if organisers would add more games to the 2015 football schedule.
“If we were to go to 10 (teams) we’d have the grand final start at 6.30pm-6.45pm and we probably think that’s a bit late,” he said.
“At the moment eight is the magic number but we’re looking at other competitions and will go to the Boag’s Cup when the Hampden league runs theirs.”
Moloney praised Once Were Warriors for their help.
“When you have plenty of manpower it makes the day easier,” he said.
Merrivale coach Karl Dwyer said the cup eased the burden on coaches to seek out opponents and venues for practise matches.
“I’m new to the caper of coaching but my experience is to get ovals and opponents is quite a bit of work,” he said.
“We’re playing (against North Shore) in Terang due to the fact there’s nothing around here.”
Allansford coach Josh Parkinson was likewise receptive of the pre-season cup.
“I think it was a pretty good concept and it went off pretty well. It was well organised in the short space of time they had to do it,” he said.
“It’s a pretty good way to introduce players to that full-on body contact and game intensity.
“You’re almost bordering on too much time if you play the grand final.
“The four 17-minute quarters (for the day) are enough.”
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au