Local Sport Autumn–Winter 2023

SPORT Autumn-Winter LOCAL

LOCAL SPORT Autumn–Winter

Echuca’s goal to be better

By Alexander Dabb

Echuca Football Netball Club

is looking to build on its hugely successful 2022 season, which saw it take out a number of premierships across both football and netball sides.

The 17-and-under netball side was victorious over Mooroopna in their grand final, while the under-18, reserves and senior football sides all claimed premierships, the latter snapping a 20-year drought for the club as they beat Euroa in a famous see-sawing final quarter to claim their first Goulburn Valley senior premiership since 2002.

Club president Justin Hatfield isn’t focused specifically on silverware for the upcoming season, however, he put an emphasis on continuing to develop as a club.

“We're pretty excited to be getting back to the footy and to try and, I wouldn't say necessarily continue on a winning way, but just to try and better ourselves and our football and netball teams,” Hatfield said.

The club was awarded its fourth consecutive George Hunter Champion Club Award in 2022, which recognises the overall strength of a club with varying points added for a win across the football and netball sides.

Hatfield is confident that Echuca will be able to replicate the success

it had enjoyed as recipient of this award over the past few seasons.

“It's one of the more satisfying awards to win because it's a whole club award rather than an individual team as part of the club if it makes sense,” he said.

“So yes, we do strive to head towards, you know, finishing up high in regard to winning that, if not winning it.”

Senior coaches Simon Maddox and Andrew Walker will once again combine at the helm of the senior football side in their quest for back-to-back flags, having been recognised as the Riverine Herald ’s coaches of the year at the 2022 Echuca-Moama Sportstar awards.

Echuca’s senior women’s side will also take to the field for its sixth season, with Damien Dalziel

to reprise his role as coach this season.

The senior netball sides will be looking to take the next step in 2023 after all sides made the finals last season, and should be boosted by some of the premiership winning under-17 side joining the senior ranks, according to Hatfield.

“We've got some great mentors/

coaches for those girls to lean on and learn their craft,” he said.

“So those girls are I know, excited, and I know the senior group of girls are excited to have the young girls coming through.”

The club will be fielding junior boys football teams in the under-10, under-12, under-14, and under-16 age groups, with up

to 200 participants playing across eight teams.

Echuca’s senior football and netball campaigns in the Goulburn Valley League will commence on Saturday, April 8 at Victoria Park as they take on Tatura.

▯ To contact Echuca Football Netball Club, visit echucafnc.com.au

Defending champions: Echuca will take to the field as reigning GVL premiers in 2023.

Photos: Steve Huntley

Pass it here: Will Echuca capture a senior netball premiership this year?

Women’s footy continues expansion

By Josh Huntly

The Northern Country Women’s League will soon be under way, and Moama is hoping to enter a senior women’s side into the competition for the first time.

Following the success of its youth girls’ program in 2022, the Magpies are seeking to break new ground in joining Echuca in the senior grade for the upcoming campaign, and while efforts are progressing, the club is still seeking numbers to add to its squad.

Moama coach Matt McKay said the side was well placed, with a committed core driving the Magpies’ bid.

“To get the 14 names straight up was really good, it’s just about hopefully getting them all together and seeing what happens,” McKay said.

“Touch wood we can get there; if not, we’ll go again next year.”

Should Moama take the option to defer to 2024, it will do so with the confidence several of its young brigade will be ready to take the next step.

“I think we have around 30 (girls) that have turned up so far. It’s great, we actually had three or four girls graduate from the age bracket and we have added around a dozen,” he said.

By Josh Huntly

Echuca-Moama Rockets

are ready to launch into their 13th year.

The popular all-abilities football club will field both senior and Auskick teams, kicking off with senior training on March 29.

The Rockets will compete in the Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) once again, with five round-robin weekends to be held throughout the season.

According to coach

“The women’s side of it we would love some more numbers, then there’s a pathway for the youth girls.

“Quite a few are keen to play women’s footy already and they’re only 16, 17.”

Meanwhile, Echuca is hunting for that elusive silverware after falling in last season’s grand final to Nathalia.

The Murray Bombers have welcomed Bendigo Thunder’s Phoebe Cuttriss to Victoria Park, set to bring an experienced touch to the side.

Returning coach Damien Dalziel said he was hoping it was a case of “fourth time lucky” for Echuca.

“We’re looking forward to the season,” Dalziel said.

“We have some new faces and some old faces who are hungry to have another crack at getting into a grand final, and maybe the result might go our way this time.

“We’ve been training with good numbers with some youthful girls but still some experience to work with.

“Phoebe Cuttriss is a fantastic inclusion for us, her experience will be invaluable.

“The whole group has stepped up to take over leadership responsibilities.”

At Echuca United, the Eagles’ youth girls’ squad is preparing to build on its semi-final appearance.

Led by coach Jason Dennis, the

Goal: Moama is hoping to get a senior women’s side together for the first time.

Eagles’ inaugural season was a successful one, as more players jump on board for the start of the under-18 competition.

“We battled a bit with numbers coming out of COVID last year,” Dennis said.

“Last year we probably had 12 every week, this year we’ve got a solid 18 every week. We’ve had a few more girls than we were expecting, which is good, they’re all pretty keen and ready to go.

“Everyone’s welcome, the club’s been supportive and been a bit more focused on the girls’ side of things.”

A round-robin pre-season tournament, the atWork Australia Cup, is scheduled for March 19 at Tatura.

No fixture was officially released at the time of print for the NCWL.

▯ CLUB CONTACTS

Echuca: admin@echucafnc.com.au

Echuca United: echucaunited@bigpond.com

Moama: admin@moamafnc.com.au

for 2023

Graeme Glanville, enthusiasm has not waned among the playing group.

“Most of the players are still wanting to pull the boots on,” Glanville said.

“I think I get more enjoyment out of it than the players do, I just love seeing them out there having a go and getting their hands on the ball.

“We can’t wait to get back out there, they’re always having a smile and a laugh.”

The club operates out of Echuca South Recreation

Reserve and further to competing in the FIDA’s northern conference, the Rockets will enjoy a week of training with Murray Football League club Echuca United, with further details to be confirmed via the Echuca-Moama Rockets Facebook page.

This will form part of the long-awaited biannual inclusion round, which had been waylaid by COVID-19.

“We haven’t had a fullblown inclusion day for

around four or five years,” Rockets junior co-ordinator Mark McGann said.

“That’s a bit of a start back

into it. We try to treat it as the community’s footy club, not just our own little club.”

The Rockets’ Auskick

season, catered for children aged between 5-12, kicks off on Wednesday, April 26, and registrations are currently being taken through the PlayHQ portal; simply search Echuca Moama Rockets Auskick Centre in the search bar.

▯ Furthermore, the club is inviting volunteers to assist with training and game days, and the organisation can be emailed at emrockets@gmail.com

Letting rip: Echuca’s Jordan Irvine gets her kick away. Photos: Rechelle Zammit

All smiles: The Rockets will be back in action in 2023.

Photo: Steve Huntley

LOCAL SPORT Autumn–Winter

Finals on the radar for Eagles

By Alexander Dabb

Echuca United will look to bounce back from a tough 2022, which saw the senior side finish 11th, winning just three games for the season.

The outlook is much brighter for 2023, however, as the club has re-signed its senior coach and welcomed some familiar faces back into the fold, according to club president Anthony Chapman.

“We've re-signed (senior coach) Farran Priest and we've got a couple of returning players back to the club, Bailey Sawyer and (Luke) Sanderson,” he said, while pointing to the development of the club’s youth,” Chapman said.

“A lot of those kids who are 22 and under are a year older, and we're trying to get some bigger bodies around them, but they're naturally going to improve as well.

“So, we're sort of hopeful of a pretty positive season.”

Chapman concedes that contending for a premiership is out of the equation at the moment for the Eagles, but finals is definitely on their radar.

“I think bottom end finals would be, you know, probably sneaking into the finals would be something we're trying to achieve,” he said.

“I think that would be a big success to make finals this year for us.”

Chapman’s optimism extends

to the youth girls under-18 side, who have had strong numbers at training, with new coach Jason Dennis at the helm for this season.

The netball is also looking quite strong, with the club fielding senior sides in A, B, C and C-Reserve, as well as junior sides

from under-17s right down to under-11s, which Chapman is enthused about.

“We've been very blessed with numbers in the netball this year, and then sort of having off-season recruiting, so there's some new faces in there and also

ECHUCA MOAMA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Home to the Echuca Pirates

The Echuca Moama Basketball Association offers three full-sized courts in an air-conditioned stadium for all year round competition.

The association offers many basketball programs:

• Aussie Hoops for junior boys and girls 5–10 years old 45-minute session held Wednesdays. For the development of skills before playing in competition.

• Under-10 program for junior boys and girls. One-hour session Wednesdays. Includes warm-up skills followed by drills for game development and modify matches.

• Junior Domestic for boys and girls under 12 years — under 18 years held Summer and Winter time. Boys Monday nights with the exception of under-12 boys who play Thursdays on the same night as the girls.

• Men and Women Senior A-,B- & C-grade competitions. Men and women play on Monday evenings.

• Junior Pirates Representative Squads under-12 to under-18 girls and boys — try-out and selection usually June/July those selected train weekly and represent Echuca Moama Basketball Association at various Country Association tournaments monthly from October to March.

• Men and Women Senior Pirates CBL representation. Competition requires weekly trainings and travel to Country Associations to compete from October to February.

• Refereeing at Echuca Moama Basketball Association offers the opportunity for both juniors and seniors to come along and referee domestic games weekly and at our tournament held in September this year and the opportunity to advance yourself and travel further if you would like to pursue your interest.

some returning faces, which is great.”

The C-grade netball side is looking to defend its title, having beaten rivals Moama last season.

Echuca United will also be fielding under-10s and under-12s football teams in the Goulburn Murray Junior League, as well as under-14s and under-17s in the Murray Football

League, while delivering the AusKick and Net-Set-Go programs for junior footballers and netballers alike.

Echuca United will start their season by facing off against Tongala on Saturday, April 1.

▯ For more information contact club president Anthony Chapman on 0429 977 988, or visit echucaunitedfnc.com.au

Echuca Moama Basketball Association Inc.

244 High St, Echuca

Contact Details:

Lisa 0418 520 405

Email: info@echucabasketball.com.au

Website: www.echucabasketball.tidyhq.com

Echuca Moama Basketball Assoc

Hitting the target: Echuca United is aiming to be in the mix for a finals spot this season.

On the attack: Echuca United is looking to add to its 2022 C-grade netball premiership in 2023. Photos: Steve Huntley

Rich River of fers attractive choice for every keen golfer

By Alexander Dabb

Keen golfers will get out on course no matter the weather, especially when given the opportunity to play at a club of the calibre that Rich River has come to be known for.

Rich River Golf Club is the premier golf course in the Echuca region, boasting 36-holes across two championship courses.

The West Course, a 6227-metre par-72 from the men’s tee, is slightly shorter than the East course (6247 metres, par-72), however what it lacks in distance is made up for in difficulty, with tree-lined fairways and elevated greens making low scoring tough.

Redesigned by Australian golfing royalty and three-time winner of the Open Championship, Peter Thomson, Rich River’s links style East Course will this year play host to the prestigious NSW Open, which includes names such as Greg Norman and Ian BakerFinch on its previous champions honour roll.

Rich River Golf Club chief executive officer Shane Gloury said the course is in “really good” condition just a week out from

hosting the NSW Open’s first visit to the Murray River in its 104-year history.

“I’ve been here for five-and-ahalf years now and it’s certainly the best it’s ever looked in my time.”

Although the course may be of a standard high enough to hold PGA tournaments, amateur golfers should not be deterred, as Rich River is ranked inside the top100 public access golf courses in Australia, welcoming greenfee paying patrons as well as members.

“Anyone looking from our region or outside of our region that is looking for a quality golf course, Rich River should certainly be on the top of that list, our fees are very reasonable and the feedback we have been getting has been fantastic.”

▯ Players can book a round at www.richriver.com.au, or phone the club on (03) 5481 3333.

Pristine: The course at Rich River Golf Club is in top condition ahead of the NSW Open.

Rich River Golf Club.

Photo:

Echuca Pistol Club gets set for major upgrades

By Alexander Dabb

While the idea of pistol shooting as a sport may seem far fetched to some, Echuca Pistol Club’s Mark Oliver said the sport is one of the most inclusive available for participants.

‘‘Pistol shooting is, or the shooting sports in general, are one of the only sports where everyone competes on a level-playing field regardless of age or gender or physical ability,” he said.

“It doesn't matter if you're young, old, male, female, have disability

issues, as in mobility. There's a discipline that everyone can compete, regardless of that, on a level-playing field that's not differentiated.”

The Echuca Pistol Club is having a major upgrade over the coming months, with new pistol ranges to be added, as well as an upgrade of the club rooms and facilities, and while this may impact the hosting of competitions, prospective members are still encouraged to attend the weeknight meetings.

“We're not hosting any major competitions until that's done, but new members can come on a Tuesday night and start the process because it is a bit of a process to

go through all the right licensing, which is an exercise in time, really,” Oliver said.

Shooting sports may be intimidating for newcomers which Oliver is aware of, but there are many great benefits for anyone who chooses to get involved, whether the involvement is social or serious, he said.

"The main thing is don't be frightened to come out and have a go, it can be a little bit confronting, but it is a fantastic sport for

development of self-discipline, hand-eye coordination, critical thinking and things like that, so it's a fantastic sport.

“Regardless of your aspirations, you can go through a club like Echuca all the way to Olympic events through the club or if you just want to come for the social aspect, there's something on offer for everyone.”

▯ For more information or to contact the club, visit the Echuca Pistol Club page on Facebook.

Clay target club on the mark

By Josh Huntly

The ranges at Echuca Clay Target Club will continue to be filled with the sound of shotguns throughout the winter months.

ECTC will host key events on the Victorian shooting calendar, including state events such as the Victorian Clay Target Association State Trap Carnival in November.

The Victorian State ISSF Championships are also bound for Echuca, with the three-day carnival pitting talented shooters against each other at the State Range from May 5 -7.

Thursday practice sessions and monthly club shoots continue throughout the year, and ECTC president Nick Dean said the

organisation had seen an uptick in returning members. And the range is always open to new ones.

“Anyone’s welcome,” Dean said.

“That’s what we’ve found with practice; we’re reigniting the passion of lost shooters, some that may have walked away in years gone by.

“We have a hell of a lot of young kids from 12 upwards practising as well before they decide to take on competition.

“It’s so welcoming and inclusive out at the club, it doesn’t matter whether you’re 12 or 90, it’s a sport for everyone.”

The club will also host the VCTA School Students competition, with the north-east region competing at Echuca on August 10 before also

hosting the final in September. But in March, ECTC puts a focus on remembering club members who have passed away with the annual memorial shoot, this time honouring long-time member Murray Roberts in the March 12 event.

“Murray was instrumental in getting our story into the papers, for years and years his wife Dot worked in the kitchen while Murray did a story every month for the Riv,” Dean said.

“Unfortunately Murray passed away late last year.

“It’s a big event for us, we always set March aside to honour our past members.”

Contact ▯ Phone: 0417 826 780. Email: echucaclaytargetclub@gmail.com

A proud history – An exciting future.

The Echuca Football Netball Club competes in the Goulburn Valley League – the region’s premier football and netball competition. Echuca’s accredited junior coaches are dedicated to the development of junior football and netball talent. Along with our well credentialled and experienced senior coaches, excellent facilities and our unrivalled local reputation for professionalism, Echuca Football Netball Club provides a great environment to improve your football and netball skills in an enjoyable, supportive and family friendly atmosphere.

After a successful season in 2022 in which our club won three football premierships and one netball premiership, the Echuca Football Netball Community is excited for season 2023 to get under way. We have

fantastic support from all our sponsors and are extremely grateful for their affiliation with our club, we particularly acknowledge our premier partner The Moama Bowling Club.

Echuca Football Netball Club has a flourishing junior football program including Auskick, U10’s, U12’s, u14’s and U16’s, competitions. The senior football department includes four grades of football – Seniors, Reserves, U18’s, and Women’s teams.

On the netball courts we have 3 strong senior teams and 17 and under and 15 and under junior teams.

Our club is committed to offering off field help to our players and supporters by providing access to information, materials and support to assist them in mental health and wellbeing. EFNC aims to provide

an environment for all players and supporters to be valued and supported in their on-field endeavours and off field wellbeing. Our Health and Well-Being Subcommittee is made up of people with a vast range of skills and experiences. Our players and supporters can feel confident that they can seek assistance by engaging with any member of the committee knowing that their wellbeing needs will be treated in line with our Code of Conduct and the Player Well-being Policy.

We invite you to be part of the Echuca Football Netball Club, a club with a proud history – an exciting future.

Contacts: admin@echucafnc.com.au

Website: www.echucafnc.com.au

Aim, fire: Mark Oliver of the Echuca Pistol Club in action.

Getting ready: Echuca Clay Target Club members at a recent shoot.

Photo: Steve Huntley

Echuca Football Netball Club Inc. Since 1876 Victoria Park Oval, Crofton Street, Echuca.

LOCAL SPORT Autumn–Winter

Wickham’s offers everyone a fighting chance

By Alexander Dabb

Offering a total program of self-defence, fitness and family fun through its martial arts curriculum, Wickham’s Martial Arts centre provides something for every level of fighter, owner and head coach Matt Wickham said.

Having recently gained his black belt certification in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after a gruelling grading session, Wickham also holds black belt certifications in Zen Do Kai karate (ninth degree) and Muay Thai (ninth degree), all three disciplines in which he offers classes in.

And while some of the coaches may be professional fighters, the first-timers will feel right at home with classes tailored to every stage of a person’s learning.

“In our Thai boxing, Muay Thai, classes, we have professional fighters,” Wickham said.

“Kiw is looking after our Muay Thai club. “He's actually a professional fighter as well, and he's got, I'm not sure how many fights, but he's been professional for a long time since he was a child from Thailand.”

Wickham assures there remains a spot for everyone, however, “all the way down to the person who just wants to do something to keep fit, or the kids that just want to learn how to defend themselves or feel confident in themselves, so we cater for everybody.”

Training across weeknights and Saturdays, Wickham’s centre hosts classes for kids, teens and adults across all three martial arts disciplines, while also providing private one-on-one classes for

anyone regardless of experience level, from the first-time student to the expert fighter preparing for competition.

Wickham’s provides self-defence courses, with a course also specific to empowering women with basic moves to give them the confidence to protect themselves.

"We do cater for self-defence as well, we do self-defence programs for people, for groups,” Wickham said.

“I've got a couple of ladies that, they're both third degree black belts, and they run self-defence classes for students, groups, and we usually have them off and on during the year as well."

▯ For more information head to www.wickhamsmartialarts. com or call 5482 5362 between 4pm and 8pm on weeknights.

Top events kickstart April

By Josh Huntly

Two mainstays of the regional sporting calendar are set to see hundreds of competitors in the cycling and tennis domain pour into Echuca Moama for the start of a blockbuster April of sport.

The twin towns will play host to Echuca-Moama Cycling Club’s annual criterium carnival and Echuca Tennis Club’s Easter Tournament in back-to-back weekends.

On Saturday, April 1, cyclists will descend on the Echuca-Moama velodrome in Moama seeking a share of a $3000 prize pool, with categories ranging from A to D grades seniors and two junior divisions, under-15 and under-17.

The purpose-built criterium course will pit a maximum of 20 riders in each grade against each other from 11am onwards, drawing entries from all across Victoria.

EMCC president Ray Hamilton said all was in readiness for the exciting event.

“We’re looking at getting riders from all over,” Hamilton said.

“At this stage of the game, we’re quite happy with how it’s going, we’re just trying to get it out there to all the clubs.

“We’re getting pretty good vibes back from all our clubs. The crit

racing at the velodrome has been fantastic for us.”

Entries for the carnival can be made via the Echuca Moama Cycling Club Facebook page through the event boss portal at https://entryboss.cc/ races/14331

e club is also looking to its

winter road season, which runs through to October.

More information about the club can be found on the EMCC website at www.echucamoama cyclingclub.com.au and the club is contactable at echucamoama cyclingclub@outlook.com

One week later, all eyes on

Members of the

will be on Echuca’s Crofton St courts that will be humming with hundreds set to battle in the nearly century-old Easter Tournament competition.

The Echuca Tennis Club’s 95th edition of the tournament is expected to entice another large field of entries to compete in the Easter weekend tournament after

a successful 2022 edition. Once again scheduled for three days from Friday, April 7, to Sunday, April 9, the tournament provides competition across a range of singles and doubles grades, ranging from junior to senior.

Further details will be made available via the ETC Facebook page when available.

Ripping backhand: Echuca’s Campbell Orr.

Ready:

Echuca-Moama Cycling Club will be part of the contingent to tackle the Crit Festival in early April.

Photos: Steve Huntley

Everyone’s welcome: Participants in Wickham’s Martial Arts Centre Empower Yourself Workshop.

Raiders get back in groove

By Josh Huntly

Bendigo Amateur Soccer League club Moama Echuca

Border Raiders are clicking into gear for the new season.

From juniors to seniors, the Border Raiders have graced the fields of Jack Eddy once again for pre-season, with a raft of new initiatives for 2023.

Two senior men’s sides and one women’s team will compete in division two, while the junior brackets have been training the house down in preparation for the season.

An exciting redevelopment of the club’s MESA program will see the number of players on-field reduced so that junior players will have more opportunities to put their best foot forward.

“There are more teams, but players get a lot more touches on the ball, so they develop quicker and better skills,” Border Raiders president Pat Hicks said.

“For shy kids, they’re less likely to slip way down the back.

“Traditionally MESA’s been at 5.30 on a Tuesday until 6.30, and the BASL juniors which are the under 12s, 14s, and 16s have been 5.30 until 7 on a Tuesday.”

Training will take place

for younger age groups on Saturday morning at Jack Eddy Oval, with Kinder Kicks training from 9.30am to 10am and MESA juniors playing from 9am to 11am.

The senior women train from 6.30pm to 8pm on Tuesdays, with the senior men training on Thursday’s at the same time.

The Border Raiders are also hoping to entice more coaches to pick up the clipboard.

“Currently we’re trying to put together a number of programs for parents who have never coached before, coaches who might not have a lot of experience,” Hicks said.

“For the seniors, there’s a lot of different abilities in each group so you have got to design practices around being able to coach the less abled players at a certain level.

“But also, in the same practice being able to give the more talented players the challenge they need to develop as well.”

The BASL season is expected to get under way in April, with a confirmed start date not available at the time of writing.

Club contact

▯ Phone: 0409 343 611. Email: borderraidersinfo @gmail.com

ROUND ‘EM UP WITH THE

DENI DROVERS

The Drovers field a men’s team in the Southern Inland Rugby Union competition. Players travel from right across southern NSW and northern Victoria.

Fitness training is held Tuesday (Rotary Park, Deniliquin) from 6.30pm and pre-season training is held in Moama on Saturday. Look to our Facebook page for future dates and times.

Drovers 2023 Draw

For more information, or to get in touch with the club, call Coach Joe Gogarty on 0417 266 843, President Paul Marshall on 0429 815 360 or find the Drovers on Facebook. facebook.com/denirugby

Green machine: Border Raiders juniors launch into a game.

Photo: Steve Huntley

EMBA back with a bang for full season after disruptions

By Alexander Dabb

Echuca Moama Basketball Association will be back in action for a full season this winter after disruptions caused chaos to the summer fixtures.

The current season has seen abandoned games and venue changes due to the flooding, as the Echuca Basketball Stadium became an evacuation centre, although the courts are back in use and the season is back up and running as normal, with grand finals scheduled for the final week of March.

And when round one of the winter season rolls around in the second week of May, it will be with record numbers right from the boys and girls’ under-12 age group through to the under-18s.

With more than 350 participants in the junior domestic competition, and

18 teams across four age groups in the representative Echuca Pirates sides, “the biggest (numbers) we’ve ever had,” according to association president Lisa Baker, the season is set to be super competitive.

The Junior Pirates season runs from October to April, however they will be representing the EMBA in various tournaments scattered throughout regional Victoria, including the Junior Country Championships which they enter with recent success, having won gold at the Wodonga Junior Basketball Invitational Tournament in the under-14 boys division.

The under-16 boys and under-18 boys and girls sides will be in action on March 18 and 19 across Traralgon and Morwell, with the under-14 boys and girls sides playing in Ballarat

from April 15 to 17, while the under-12 boys and girls sides will play in Bendigo the following weekend.

Baker said the EMBA welcomed newcomers keen to play basketball, but stressed there were limited spots available.

“We are always seeking new players, but registration does fill up pretty quickly so it will need to be done early,” Baker said.

Boys and girls’ junior competitions will feature under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 age groups, playing across both Monday and Thursday nights.

The EMBA also runs the ever-popular Aussie hoops program for under-10 players, as well as a senior domestic season on weeknights.

▯ For more information visit echucabasketball. tidyhq.com

NOVEMBER 20 23 27

Going for gold: The Echuca Junior Pirates will be playing in the Junior Country Championships in March and April.

Photos: Steve Huntley

Shoot it: Echuca Moama Basketball Association will kick off the winter season this May

Be trackside at Echuca this autumn and winter

By Gregor Mactaggart

The autumn and winter period is traditionally a busy one for the Echuca Racing Club.

And this year is no exception.

Sunday’s Echuca Cup meeting headlines what will be a hectic few months.

Echuca Racing Club manager Garry Armstrong said it would be staging meetings each month.

“We’ve got the cup, which is on this Sunday,” he said.

“After that we gear up for another Sunday meeting on April 23, then a rare Saturday meeting on May 13.

“We’ve got a Thursday meeting on June 1 before the July 28 meeting which coincides with the Winter Blues Festival.”

The meeting was run for the first time in 2022 and trackside tunes lured a big crowd to the racecourse.

The event forms a key part of the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival program and is being staged for the first time.

Three top-shelf acts performed as the races were

run and won in the pavilion, which offers a magnificent view of the track from an elevated position.

Echuca Racing Club’s stature on the Country Racing Victoria scene is well-entrenched with the state’s leading stables and jockeys regularly riding at meetings on the border.

Mr Armstrong said the track recently underwent some important renovations.

“The new drainage works have been completed, that was a $220,000 project,” he said.

“That is probably the most significant amount of work in one time on the track since 1988.

“It held up very well last year when we had a number of meetings affected by rain and this latest work will stand us in good stead.”

There is also significant work off the track.

A new building which will contain jockeys rooms, stewards area, scales area, administration offices and

television host set is fast taking shape with funding assistance from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund.

“We’re optimistic it will be open in late April or early May,” Mr Armstrong said.

“Our current jockeys rooms, stewards area and administration offices were built in 1970,” he said.

“They’ve served the industry well over the past 53 years, but we’re looking forward to the new facilities.”

Echuca Racing Club caters for racegoers with free shuttle buses available to feature meetings from various pickup points in Echuca and Moama.

•For more visit https:// country.racing.com/ echuca or check out Echuca Racing Club on Facebook.

EDNA action starts next month

By Alexander Dabb

Saturday mornings at the netball courts will once again come alive this April, as the Echuca District Netball Association junior season is set to start the 2023 season.

The junior season will get under way on April 29, while the ‘Net’ program (five to seven-year-olds) will commence one week later, on May 6, with both competitions running through until August 19, and participation numbers are expected to be strong again.

The Saturday competition isn’t the only netball action to expect, as the annual EDNA tournament will be held this year on May 14, with age groups from under-11 to under-17 competing for the right to be crowned champions.

Teams will play multiple 14-minute games, until the top-ranked teams at the end of the round robin section will compete in a finals series to determine a champion team.

EDNA president Betty

McCoomb said the standard of the competition will be high, with teams competing not limited to the local area.

“Teams come from the Sunraysia region, Mildura and Swan Hill, we get teams from Bendigo, Castlemaine, and depending on what other tournaments are on in the area we may also get teams from Wodonga,” she said.

The primary school tournament, for students in Years 5 and 6, will be held on Friday, May 26, with teams coming from primary schools from within the region, such as Kyabram, Tongala, Rochester, Deniliquin and Lockington, as well as the local schools in Echuca and Moama.

EDNA also caters for senior and mixed netball competitions, which take place on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

The current senior and mixed seasons will draw to a close in June, with new seasons to commence on July 18 and 19 for the senior and mixed competitions respectively.

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Winning feeling: EDNA teams will be back on court this April for the 2023 season.

Photo: EDNA

Ready: The autumn and winter period is traditionally a busy one for the Echuca Racing Club.

Photo: Steve Huntley

LOCAL SPORT Autumn–Winter

Big year ahead for Magpies

By Alexander Dabb

Coming off the back of a strong season last year which saw both the senior and reserves men’s sides go deep into finals in the Murray Football League, the ‘Mowers’ head into the 2023 season expecting to be in contention come the pointy end once more.

Moama Football Netball Club

president Matt Lake is confident that another strong finals showing should be expected.

“Our seniors had a great season last year winning two finals and we are aiming to make the finals again this season,” he said.

A tough preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Mulwala ended the senior side’s season, while the reserves suffered heartache in the grand final, falling six points short against Tongala, yet Lake is positive that the ultimate glory of winning the Murray Football League premiership is within touching distance for the club.

“Once you’re a top two or three team, anything can happen.”

Moama has extensively recruited players ahead of the new season, headlined by the addition of Kristan Height, who boasts a glittering CV that includes the Ovens and Murray League’s Morris Medal (2014), the Goulburn Valley League’s Morrison Medal (2010) and the Bendigo Football League’s Michelsen Medal (2016), and remains the only

player to have won all three. In exciting news, the club is looking to field its first senior women’s side this year, in addition to the youth girls (under18s) side, with training under way and strong numbers already in attendance.

The club will also field a number of junior boys sides, with under-14 and under-17 age groups playing in the Murray Football League, and under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16 age groups playing in the Goulburn Murray Junior League.

Despite falling short of a football premiership, Moama still tasted success in the form of three netball premierships, won by its under-13, under-17 and senior B-grade sides, with all other teams making it to at least the semi-finals.

A-grade netball coach Jodie Lake says that the Magpies chances of winning a top-flight premiership this season can’t be discounted.

“I think never say never, it's what

you aspire to, that's what you play for in A-grade. So yeah, look, never say never,” she said.

“It is going to be a new-look team and it will take, you know, a little while to gel together and things like that, but I have pretty good faith in the quality of the girls and the recruits and everything that it'll all come together pretty well.”

Their chances will be boosted by the arrival of members of the under-17 premiership

winning squad, with a number of those players primed to make the jump into the senior squads, according to Lake.

“We've got a good core group of about three or four of the girls who won the premiership in the under-17s last year coming up to the senior ranks, and mostly A and B (grades), which, obviously they're pretty good quality players coming into the top tiers of the seniors straight from under-17s,” she said.

“So that's really exciting and a really

good position for the club I think, just to see, bleeding that youth through, that's what you sort of aspire to do I think each year, just get them all trained up and ready, and it just sets the club in a really good stead for the future, I think.”

Moama will get its season under way at home against Mulwala on Saturday, April 1.

▯ For more information visit www.moamafootballnetballclub. com.au

Playing to win: Moama isn’t ruling itself out

In it to win it: Moama is ready to launch into the 2023 Murray Football League season. Photo: Steve Huntley

BORDER RAIDERS’ FC COME AND TRY DAY

When: Saturday, 18 March & 1 April 2023

Time: 9.30am - 11am

For girls and boys aged 4 to 16.

Where: Jack Eddy Oval, Moama

New and returning players also welcome for our Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, U16, U14 and U12 teams. Please visit our Facebook page for training details.