AFL Riverina has given the Lions the green light to join Wagga and District League after lengthy discussions between the two parties.

As part of the agreement, GGGM’s juniors will play two home games in Estella for the next two seasons. They will be at Peter Hastie Oval and CSU netball courts.

GGGM juniors president Scott Hamblin said it was great news.

“One hundred per cent, we put a lot of hours into it and to get the result we wanted is very pleasing,” Hamblin said.

GGGM will have dual training bases at Estella and Ganmain. They will establish Auskick and Net Set Go centres at Estella, while also running those, plus junior football and netball, at Ganmain.

Hamblin said the move will ensure the future of the proud club.

“We’ve had past players in both netball and football come to us for years, wanting to give their kids an opportunity to be apart of our club’s great culture,” Hamblin said.

“This will let a lot of families have all their kids play together at the one family club.

“It’s going to be the best thing for the future of our club. A high percentage of our senior club are now based in Wagga for employment reasons, so this now gives their families an opportunity to play for the same club.”

AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons was pleased with the outcome.

“This has been a big change for our junior competitions and it is the first time, in a long time, that we have had a junior club change leagues,” Irons said.

“AFL Riverina is looking forward to supporting the club through this transition and creating a junior pathway to sure up the club’s future.”

GGGM is also looking forward to playing same day junior and senior football and netball. The move to Wagga juniors gives them five opportunities to do so.

Another GGGM official paid tribute to Scott Hamblin, Kathy Sase, Kirralee Logan, Christen McPherson ‘and all the team’ for the work they did in getting the juniors into the Wagga competition.