With the league’s junior competition on its knees, someone had to stand up and coach the newly-formed Upper Murray Giants in Wagga’s Sunday competition.

The four-hour round trip for Nicholas comes on top of him coaching Corryong’s seniors for a record seventh season.

“Someone has to do it and I’m very aware of the benefits playing football can bring young people,” Nicholas said.

“It’s a big thing in a kid’s life.

“We have got to keep it going in the Upper Murray.

“A football club is a bit like home in many ways.”

Nicholas took the Giants’ first training session at Corryong on Monday night with the under-15 side having 14 players on its books.

Youngsters from Corryong, Cudgewa and Tumbarumba have committed and Nicholas is hoping several more come out of the woodwork from other clubs.

While the Upper Murray’s under-16 competition has gone into recess for 12 months, it will continue with under-10 and 13 competitions each Saturday.

“The kids just didn’t have anywhere to go,” he said.

“Some parents think Wagga is a long way away and that’s fair enough but it’s only once a week and I think this is a really good starting point.”

A demographic study of the league’s catchment area has revealed there are only 60 boys in the 14-16 age group and less than half of those play football.