By Deanne Jeffers
THE 2023 GOTAFE Goulburn Valley League season kicks off Easter weekend, with the first matches to be played on Good Friday, April 7.
Despite hopes that Princess Park would be up to scratch, round one Shepparton Swans v. Mooroopna Cats will now be played at Mooroopna on Easter Saturday.
“We’re disappointed because we hoped since everything that the team has been through with the floods, that we’d be able to welcome everyone back and see the stands packed with supporters,” said Shepparton Swans president, Jarrod Sutherland.
“We’re still waiting for temporary change rooms to arrive. It’s better to make the decision to move the games rather than cancel closer to the date. We still need our netball courts to be resurfaced, and the grounds are just not in the best condition yet.”
A GV/L spokesperson said, “The round one match Shepparton Swans v Mooroopna scheduled to be played under lights at Princess Park Shepparton will now be played at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve. These matches will remain as night games (as scheduled). The round 13 match between both clubs will be moved to Princess Park.”
“All stakeholders have been working hard to make the venue ready for round one post floods. Greater Shepparton City Councils Sports & Parks team have put in a herculean effort post floods to get the facilities ready
“Moving round one’s games will allow the venue an additional two weeks to recover and complete outstanding works before the Swans host Mansfield,” they said.
Other fixture changes include the Benalla v. Seymour match will now be played on Good Friday in Benalla, and the Kyabram v. Echuca match in round two will now be played at night.
