Only a couple of weeks remain until the first round of the new GFNL season! March has been busy for the playing groups, with the senior men’s squad already playing three practice matches. Despite the very disappointing achilles injury to our new co-coach Devon Smith, the senior group has shown some great signs of further improvement and we can look forward with optimism to season 2023.
 
Our U18 boys and senior squad have our final practice match against Werribee Districts at Bisinella Oval on 1 April. The following day, our senior women and various junior boys and girls sides also have practice matches against Darley FNC from the Ballarat FNL. The Netball Section are also involved in this day. We look forward to as many supporters as possible coming down across the weekend to see how our teams are coming along.

After careful and lengthy deliberation, LSC Football Section has decided to combine our U/19 girls and senior women’s sides for the 2023 season. The combined team will represent Lara in AFL Barwon’s Senior Women’s competition.
 
The Football Section was concerned for some time that committed numbers would not allow us to confidently nominate an U/19 or senior side individually for 2023. Prior to making our decision, the club consulted players and parents to gauge their opinions. We were encouraged by the positive and respectful discussion by all parties, after which there was substantial agreement and broad commitment to support this path, should it become necessary.
 
The LFC Women’s sub-committee felt that we needed to field a side in the senior competition to demonstrate an ongoing development pathway to our junior players. In addition, many of the older U/19 players had already experienced senior football with Lara. Our women’s coaches believe that the majority of the U/19 squad can compete very effectively in the senior competition, and they will manage the introduction of our less experience players to ensure they are comfortable with the transition.
 
This decision is a temporary arrangement for this season and does not change our desire to once again field U/19 and senior women’s in 2024. We also continue to encourage girls and women who would like to try football to contact our club.
 
Our first game of the regular season is scheduled for Saturday April 15 (the weekend after Easter) versus Leopold at Leopold. This is followed by our Spirit of ANZAC clash with Grovedale on Sunday 23 April at Bisinella Oval. Run in conjunction with the Lara RSL, this day is establishing a wonderful tradition that commemorates our fallen service men and women and recognises all who have served with Australia’s armed forces. Keep an eye out for our flyer for the times of major activities across the day. The same day will also be the first official round for our Netball section in their new rooms and courts beside Oval 2. Congratulations to Di and the team on their new home!



For those who will take the field this season, player registrations are now open on PlayHQ. You can register for season 2023 by following the link below and we also have it posted on our facebook page
https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/4a4b79

 
We are also accepting orders for LFNC apparel. You can view the range and place your orders using the online shop here: https://promote-it.com.au/larafc/
 
Go Cats!