Sydney Swans to shine under the Moree Suns
MOREE Suns AFL Club extends an open invitation to all members of the Moree community to take part in an exciting day out next Tuesday, February 19.
The club will host two Sydney Swans players as well as conduct open clinics.
The players will visit Moree schools and speak at the clinics at Moree Showground, the Suns new headquarters.
The free clinics are for junior, women and senior players and open for anyone interested in playing AFL.
Club secretary Annette Hadley encourages those interested to attend.
“The Office of Sport will be there during the junior session with give-aways and to talk to people about Active Kids Vouchers,” Hadley said.
“Any junior players interested can be registered on the day. There will also be a barbeque for kids and parents.
“The women’s and men’s sessions are available to people of all experience levels and there will be a Q&A session with theSwans players afterwards – from around 7.30pm – about health, fitness, fun, sports and skills.
“This is a unique opportunity for Moree residents to have access to elite athletes and get tips and advice on health, fitness and sport.
Moree Suns AFL club will host two star Sydney Swans players in Moree on Tuesday, February 19 (Image courtesy Haley Caccianiga).
“There is absolutely no need to be involved with AFL to attend – we encourage everyone to come along and meet the players and participate in everything the day has to offer,” Hadley said.
A supper, sponsored by Moore’s South Moree Butchery, will be available during the Q&A session at just $10 per person.
Next week’s Swans tour comes on the back of a bittersweet 2018 for Moree Suns.
The club was devastated by a fire last September that completely gutted the outfit’s clubhouse at Taylor Oval.
Club equipment, uniforms, merchandise and property was lost in the blaze.
“We basically lost everything in the fire, and now have to start from scratch all over again,” Hadley said.
This year will be a complete rebuild for the Suns, which was helped along last month by a community grant from Moree Plains Shire Council and the support of the Moree community through pub raffles and fundraising.
“Despite the devastation of the fire we have tried to use this as an opportunity to rebuild the club,” Hadley said.
Moree Showground is the Moree Suns AFL club’s new home ground after their clubhouse at Taylor Oval was last year gutted by fire (Image courtesy of Haley Caccianiga).
“Activities undertaken as part of the rebuild include being involved in community events for fundraising, such as events at the Moree Ski Park, Moree Markets and local raffles which we hope will be ongoing.
“The club has been working hard at fostering a new culture, on and off the field, and as the team consolidates further, the Suns will work harder to be increasingly involved in the Moree community.
“A Pink Ribbon round with an auction as well as an Indigenous round have already been slated for 2019, pending sponsorship for both events,” she said.
Players are reminded that senior men’s training takes place each Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30pm; senior women’s each Thursday from 6.30pm; and juniors’ training each Wednesday from 6.30pm.
All training is conducted at Moree Showground and newcomers are most welcome to come along and try out.
The Suns plan to kick off 2019 with a pre-season match against Sawtell on March 16.
“We’ve recruited former WA player Eric Faulkner as the senior men’s coach for 2019 and also have a number of players returning to the club as part of the rebuild,” Hadley said.
“Some new players have relocated to Moree from down south as well and they have some great AFL knowledge and experience.”
Words: Bill Poulos
Image: Haley Caccianiga
