n Innovative idea
THE 40 days and nights with two of our major sports, football and cricket, not programmed gives the perfect window of opportunity for the Port Lincoln Football League to put in place a lightning carnival under lights at the Ravendale Community Sports Complex.
It would be so simple to arrange and run and would have multi benefits to the league and the six clubs.
The first benefit would be to the clubs and coaching staff, and allow their supporters to have a look at how their particular clubs are lining up for the upcoming season.
n Wednesday night football
Wednesday night football under lights should appeal to club supporters with all six clubs participating on both nights.
The games could be played under similar conditions to Mortlock Saturday where all clubs play two games of 20-minute halves.
The first Wednesday night games would start at 7pm, followed by the second game at around 8pm followed by the third game.
The evening would be concluded by no later than 10pm and coaches would be allowed to use 30 players.
The first night draw could be programmed on the finishing order of the minor rounds last season.
The following Wednesday night program would see the clubs finishing first and second on points and most goals kicked, play each other in the last game. The most goals kicked would eliminate the normal percentage used during the league’s minor rounds.
The third and fourth placed clubs would play the second game and fifth would play sixth in the first game.
At the end of the two nights the team with the most winning points and most goals kicked would be declared the winner.
Suitable dates for the two-night carnival could be April 8 and 15, and this has its own advantage by giving a 10-day period for clubs to prepare for the first minor round on April 25.
The big benefit
The Centenary Building Fund to build a new structure to replace the old grandstand could benefit greatly from such an event.
How and why? Again it is very simple.
All proceeds from such an event would be designated to the Centenary Building Fund.
The Port Lincoln umpires would volunteer their services, volunteers would man the gates and no club would receive any money for their participation, apart from the possibility of the event being sponsored.
With six clubs participating over two nights, the gate receipts could be over $5000.
The carnival has a touch of irony about it, in that the Ravendale Community Sports Complex could add many dollars to the Centenary Building Fund.
An alliance should be put in place between the Ravendale Community Club and the Port Lincoln Football League to stage the event.
The time has come to join hands and work together as a community to hold on to what is most dear to us.
While administrators have a never ending task of running sport on a weekly basis, they must, with deliberation, not only look as to what is best for this season or the next two or three years, but as what is best to the future.
The leaders in football and cricket must continually look to the future with vision and ensure the future leaders of the community have infrastructure in place that they can truly say thank you for the decisions made today.
It’s time to start thinking as a group and ask yourself what you can do for the future and not just today.
To all the league presidents and league president Steve Campbell: let’s go forward and get this pre-season carnival on Port Lincoln’s sporting calender.
Earlybird footy news
Starting in Thursday’s Times, Old Blue will be reporting on what the early news is about the clubs, the new signings and how the numbers are at training.
The early bird news to date is Waybacks, under new coach Scott “Roscoe” Clarke, have had good numbers. When spying on a training run they look to have a few new players and a lot of young ones looking fit with plenty of height, and were moving at good pace with good skills.
I have not had the spy glass out on Bostons, under new coach Martin Leslie, yet, but the big news here is that they have 15 on their recruiting committee and have signed several new players.
Lincoln South, under another new to the coaching ranks is, Darren Bryant, have good numbers at training and a lot of young players on the list and a few rumours to be checked out ... all good ones.
Marble Range, coached again by Glyn “Zoomer” Owen have already reported the Rangers have lost six of their premiership players, but he is excited about the young players that will play senior footy this season.
The dashing half back flanker Glen Schreiber will play for the Port Adelaide Magpies this year, and this player has the potential to go a long way, and will be hard to replace.
Mallee Park have not appointed a coach at this stage, or so one is told.
The big news here is that Barry Johncock is back and that all roads lead to Pecker Park for several of their past players.
When talking to Jack Johncock and asking “will the Peckers be around the mark this season?” Jack replied: “We’ll always be around the mark Bluey.”
Look for the Peckers to improve in leaps and bounds.
Tasmans. Coached by one of the Roosters’ favourite sons in Ronnie Evans.
On the surface there is a lot of work to do. I will have a look and talk to Ronnie Evans next week.
The Roosters are well aware that they have to lift and a couple of rumours suggest they are on the right path.
Top three clubs at this stage are Marble Range, Mallee Park and Bostons.
Port Lincoln colts cricket
THE fourth winner of the Kookaburra Rising Star Award in under 16 cricket was Wayback’s opening batsmen Addison Lands.
He will receive a $50 voucher for the purchase of Kookaburra sporting equipment.
Waybacks’ coach John Mitchell writes the following about Addison.
“Addo joined Waybacks this year and has developed into a very good batsman, representing his club and association teams at junior level and also opening the batting in the A grade competition.
“Addison has worked on his technique throughout the season and has proved to be one of the best batsmen in the colts competition.
“He plays well off his pads and is improving his front foot play.
“His temperament is unflappable and he is rising to the challenge of wicketkeeping.
“Addo capped off a terrific season by playing in two premierships, colts with Waybacks and A grade with Tod River during this season.”
Well done Addison Lands.
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