Hanwood FC is abuzz after formally accepting an invitation to join Football Wagga this season.
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The Griffith club will field two men's and two women's teams in the competition - which begins in just over a week - after a fielding a late offer from Football Wagga.
"It was very unexpected, it took us by surprise, no doubt about that, but the condition of the competition and with the player numbers we've got, it was enough for us to say, okay let's do this," Hanwood president Jason Catanzariti said.
"The buzz around the whole club - not just players and coaches, but supporters and everyone, people ringing up to find out what's going on - no doubt about it, it's an exciting time for the club."
Football Wagga made the offer last week after Junee indicated it would be unable to field a Pascoe Cup team.
For Hanwood, it was too good to pass up, after three years of attempting to join the Wagga competition. But the off-field excitement is tempered when it comes to stated on-field expectation.
"I think it's going to take us a while to find our feet," Hanwood coach Anthony Agresta said. "But I think everyone's looking forward to the challenge and we just hope we can add something to the competition."
Hanwood, who last played in Wagga back in 2001, have lost the last three grand finals in Griffith.
"Obviously everyone plays to get there but (thinking of grand finals) is a long way off," Agresta said.
"We're under no illusions that we've got a bit of work to do.
"We're going into uncharted waters, so we don't know what to expect. But that's part of the challenge, coming up against different teams, different styles, different grounds. That's why everyone's so excited."
Football Wagga president Tony Dobbin acknowledged Hanwood's admission won't be universally applauded but said it's in the best interests of the sport.
"Not every club initially welcomed it and some are not particularly happy with it. But we believe it's for the benefit of the sport as a whole and for the players, we believe it's important that our skill base is increasing and our competition develops," Dobbin said.
"We don't think it's to the detriment of clubs. We think it's to the benefit of clubs and a step in the right direction to grow the game.
"It's a competitive team so, yes, it will lift the standard. So when we had a gap in our competition we thought, that's a good team to go with."
Football Wagga's priority now is to resolve the draw nine days out from the start of the season.
Hanwood also intend to field two men's teams and potentially a women's team in the Griffith competition.
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