By Deanne Jeffers
2020 was supposed to be a year of celebrations – 100 years since Ardmona Football Club was formed. 102 years on, signs of the ground’s age are apparent, but the club’s fighting spirit continues to press on.
As old as the club itself, the goal posts at Ardomona Recreation Reserve began being removed last Thursday to make room for secondhand posts provided by Intrack Systems Australia. The refurbished goal posts have been funded by club secretary, Justin Arrowsmith.
Justin said, “It has been a long time coming and these posts are what Ardmona Football and Netball Club needs since the original posts are very old and are not the standard posts used in the league, the posts were more suited to kid’s levels, not seniors.”
“The club asked the AFL Goulburn-Murray League to replace the old posts, but nothing was being done. So, I took things into my own hands. Now we are aiming to have new lights, a new electronic scoreboard, and new clubrooms to replace the current facilities that are ageing and in disrepair.”
Greater Shepparton City Council mow the oval free of charge, as well as maintaining several clubs’ grounds. Upkeeping the area continues to be expensive and labour extensive for volunteer-run clubs. Ardmona FNC must hire the neighbouring community complex to host home games, and lighting is expensive, as several lights are coin operated and faulty, and the remaining lights billed to the club.
“A $2 coin provides around 7-9 minutes of light, equivalent to $16 every night we train. It cost us a fortune,” said Ardmona FNC life committee member, general maintenance and bar man, Les Wilson.
Ardmona Football Club resumed training on Friday and the team look forward to the new goal posts ahead of the 2022 Kyabram District League footy season, and the start of a new chapter for the Ardmona Cats.
To sponsor or donate towards the club’s improvement, please contact Ardmona FNC treasurer on ardmona.fnc.secretary@gmail.com or get in touch with the club on social media https://www.facebook.com/ArdmonaFNC/
