A Timely Update from Our Club President

Friday, 01 July 2011 15:57

After another frustrating week of junior football and Mini League being cancelled I thought I would touch on the reasons why we have had so many cancellations.

You are all aware of the rain fall that we have had, its been quite a lot! Whitford Golf Club has had 80% of its annual rainfall so far this year, when compared to last year's total for 12 months.

Council has spent a considerable amount of money putting drains through Te Puru and whilst they are working superbly, we have to be careful that we don't cut up the new grass as this will cause all sorts of long term damage to the new drains. I am in constant contact with Council as is Nikki Ferigo of Te Puru to insure we have maximum use of the fields without damaging them, but as I said earlier the rain fall we have had over the last month is excessive. Council are coming next week to relocate our #1 pitch due to the goal mouth by the playground turning into a bog, so we do have them on our side.

Due to the growth in our club this year, next season we will be looking at having a total of 7 fields: 2 x 50x30, 2 x 60x40 and 3 full size fields. In total we have 35 teams this season, which is a club record! I know for some of you it is very frustrating when you wake up Saturday morning the sun is shining and footy is cancelled, an how do you explain that to an eight-year-old child? Sorry you cant play today because the weather has been terrible...... I'll bet you will get a funny look!

It is also vitally important that as coaches of junior teams you do not train on the playing areas as this will only cause more damage which will lead to council closing them on the weekends. Please use areas in between fields. Hopefully we will see the rain disappear and we can play week in, week out until the season ends.

By Brian Preston

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