The Bombers had to forgo the top-age junior grade last year due to insufficient numbers, but are keen to get straight back into the Warrnambool and District league competition in 2017.

Club president Justin Balmer said the Bombers had already secured about half a dozen players for the side, but were looking to ramp up their intake in the coming weeks.

“It was tough not having an under 17.5 side, but we’re most keen to get our under 17s back and strengthen our under 14.5s and under 12s,” he said. “I’ve always maintained, (going back to) when I was president of the league, to keep your club strong, you’ve got to keep the juniors coming through and feeding your seniors.”

Former Bombers premiership player Paul McLaren, who has also umpired reserves and under 14.5 games, has been appointed coach of the under 17.5 side.

Balmer said the Bombers were keen to welcome anyone who wanted to play, saying those who were hard-pressed to get a game in other teams might find greater opportunities at Reid Oval.

“We’re all about all abilities; we’re not going to pick the eyes out of kids,” he said.

“We’re committed to giving everyone an opportunity.

“(And) because they’ve got that substitue rule in the senior football, we can rotate (some) under 17s into that sub spot.

“One of our leading senior players (Jyran Chatfield) is still eligible for under 17.5 football.”

Females are able to join in the football action up to under 14.5 level.

The Bombers are also keen to source more netballers for their under 13 and under 15 teams, and are looking for about another four or five players for each.

Balmer reiterated that any girl who wanted to play would be given the opportunity.

“We’ve got established coaches now and … we’re after girls, if they just want to play a game, they don’t have to be superstars,” he said.

“We’re not having tryouts; everyone will get a game.”

East Warrnambool has its training at Reid Oval on Monday and Wednesday nights.

The under 17.5 footballers train from 6pm, while the under 14.5 and under 12 footballers train from 5pm.

Under 13 and under 15 netballers start their training at 4.30pm.

Balmer said the senior numbers for both football and netball were looking healthy, with about eight new faces expected in the Bombers’ footy line-up this season.

The club has also been busy doing some improvement works around the club, repainting their football changerooms and adding hooks to the netball changerooms.