Local football champion Travis Selby has been appointed head coach for Yarra Junction’s centenary year.By Kath Gannaway
PLANS are well under way to make Yarra Junction Football Club’s centenary year a big one.
Secretary Sally Brennan told the Mail that the club, now the Yarra Junction Football and Netball Club, had not only recovered from a dismal 2008 season but was well placed to be a force this year.
The confident approach was largely due, she said, to the success of a recruitment drive that began well before the end of the 2008 season.
So far, more than 50 players have taken part in pre-season training, which began on 26 November and resumes in earnest on Monday, 19 January.
Another plus for the club is the appointment of Travis Selby as head coach. Selby is well known and highly respected as an outstanding local footballer and was seen as the ideal choice to lead the club throughout the centenary year.
“Travis was appointed as senior coach in late October and is enthusiastic about the potential for the club in 2009,’’ Ms Brennan said.
Selby said: “We’ve recruited particularly well, attracting both new and previous players, and we still have some negotiations nearing completion. It’s going to be a big year and we’ve set our sights high.’’
Reserves coach Dave Irwin and under-18s coach Tony Aulich are also enthusiastic about the coming season.
In a significant year, the club is urging those who would like to be involved in working parties to contact president Paul Hermon or Ms Brennan.
“Everyone from the community is welcome to be part of our big year, and no contribution is too small,’’ Mr Hermon said.
“We would like to see this as a major opportunity to celebrate our town, and the major role that the footy club has played in the history of the town and the broader community as a whole.
“The club is particularly focusing on family and community involvement for both our centenary year and for the future.’’
