Sport
7 February, 2024
Pioneer match to open community day clashes
BENDIGO Pioneers under 18 women’s squad will kick off the 2024 community pre-season football and netball carnival in Pyramid Hill next month. The Pios will play an intra-club match at Mitchell Park, one of four football matches for the 4th annual...
BENDIGO Pioneers under 18 women’s squad will kick off the 2024 community pre-season football and netball carnival in Pyramid Hill next month.
The Pios will play an intra-club match at Mitchell Park, one of four football matches for the 4th annual event.
The regional club’s build-up for the 2024 Coates Talent League started in November at Swan Hill. Bases for the pre-season hit outs are in Bendigo, Echuca and Moama, Swan Hill, and Mildura.
Community day organiser Geoff Hickmott said the event had developed into a regular event on the local sport and community calendar with 2024 featuring teams from four district leagues, plus the Bendigo Pioneers.
The day kicks off at 11.30 am with Bendigo “Yellow” and Bendigo “Blue” under 18 Pioneers women involved in full-scale match simulation, which will be followed by Wandella playing Newbridge, then Ultima versus Charlton.
The penultimate clash sees Moulamein playing Lake Boga, with the final match, Pyramid Hill and Boort kicking off at 5.30 pm on March 24.
“All matches will be under the watchful eyes of umpires from the Golden Rivers and Loddon Valley umpiring squads,” Hickmott said.
“As has been the case in the previous three events, games will be played over three terms of 25 minutes, with five minutes allowed for change of ends.
“With no added time and unlimited interchange each game makes for non-stop action.
“And while this is happening, it will also be fast and furious on the netball courts.
“Participating in unison with the football matches, all eight clubs will be playing a minimum of two games each on the netball courts.”
Hickmott said the Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club organising committee had been able to source Netball Victoria umpires who will be present to mentor and advise club volunteers who are seeking to develop their umpiring skills.
Entry to Mitchell Park will be by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the local fire brigade.
Hickmott said more than $3000 had been raised for the brigade over the first three years with proceeds used to purchase equipment that was used in the recent flood response efforts.
An extra edition to this year’s event will be the Keep In Touch Kit, a mobile health van promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for young people.