Turvey Park Junior Football and Netball Club president, Darren Wallett, says player development is as big a priority as premierships at the successful junior club.
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The Bulldogs were thrilled to host their first home game of the year welcoming Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong to Maher Oval on Sunday.
Despite the wintry drizzle, it was a reminder of what winter sport is all about.
"It was great. What it's done to our volunteers... they're all committed, and going out of their road to help out," Wallett said.
"I think people realise the value of community sport. It's a social outlet for a lot of adults, around their kids.
"We are keeping the numbers down, as per the guidelines, but the parents that were there were as happy as the kids."
Turvey Park took a clean sweep of junior football premierships last year (and the senior club has won the last three Under 17 flags).
But Wallett says this year it's about the player experience.
"Our footy club has put results as our second priority. Our first priority is making sure kids get a fair go. So we've implemented a rotation system, which the AFL and CMC (competition management committee) has asked us to do," he said.
"The kids get to roll through the backs, the mids and the forward line each game. We're not going out trying to win games of footy, we're going out there to give all kids a run so we get them back next year."
It's only two weeks in but Wallett believes there is plenty to like. In a coronavirus-shortened season, it's no time to treat results like 'life and death'.
"The season could get cut short and they only play a few games of footy. If they haven't enjoyed it, as older boys there's every chance half a dozen might pull out," he said.
Richard O'Connell's Under 14s have had one loss (to their nemesis last year, North Wagga) and a big win (against Eastlakes-MCU).
"It's pretty competitive. It's a really good age group. We've got four or five sides that are really evenly-matched," O'Connell said.
Eastlakes struggled at the weekend against Turvey (GGGM don't have an under 14s) but Wagga Swans and Wagga Tigers and the Saints will be testing opposition.
O'Connell conceded it will take time to convince everyone of the benefits of a 'rotation policy' but sees how it might help more players stay in the sport.
"It's great for some of those kids that get stuck in one position and don't get a chance to develop anywhere else," he said.
"We've seen some kids improve out of sight and do things we wouldn't expect, or have seen before if they were stuck in a back pocket."
Lucas Livio was the Bulldogs' best, making the most of his time forward with three goals. Reuben McGill, Gus von Marburg and Thomas Wilson also played well.
As a club, the results are still coming .
The Under 12s, 13s and 15s all had big wins against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
On the court, the Lions enjoyed success in the 10s and 14s netball.
In the under 15s, premiers Turvey Park were thrilled with a 51-24 win in their grand final rematch against GGGM, the only team to beat them the last two years.
"I was a bit nervous," coach Mel Burkinshaw said.
"The girls played so well as a team. We've only got one chance (against each team) so they had to go in, get it done, and do their job.
"I'm so glad we've got this nine-week season because they'll be in seniors next year and to miss out on the last year of juniors... it would've been a long break."
Shooters Cleo Buttifant and Misha Garrett led the way but Burkinshaw said "the team's lifted and becoming one, it's coming together and it's really good to watch."
Turvey Park take on their old rivals, Wagga Tigers, this weekend in round three of the WDJFNL.
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