Marong Football and Netball club
Come to a country football or netball match and have a great family day out.
Club History
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MARONG FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB IN THE LODDON VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND LODDON VALLEY NETBALL ASSOCIATION.
In 1983 when the Marong and District Football Club joined the LVFL, after the Golden City Football League disbanded, the football club approached the Marong Netball Club, who had been playing in the Golden City Netball Association at that time, to join with them in their endeavour to become part of the LVFL - LVNA family day of sport. The Marong Netball Club agreed to the proposal, and with the acceptance into the LVFL - LVNA, the Marong and District Football Netball Club was created and the Mighty Panther was born. (In 2008 the club name was shortened to the Marong Football Netball Club.)
FOOTBALL
The football teams have had varied success since joining Loddon Valley, almost there some years and not quite in others.
The first season saw the Reserves and Under 16's take out both premierships. Season 1984 saw the Reserves and Under 16's claim back to back victories, and then the big boys came good, winning the senior premiership in 1989. The Reserves were back in there with a premiership again in 1993 and 1994 and Under 17's in 1999 and 2009.
Our club has also produced a few league Best and Fairest winners over the years.
Seniors: Terry Noden 1989, Dale Pennington 1996, Ray Bramley 1999, Wayne Landry 2005, Lee Franklin 2008.
Reserves: Kevin Price 1990, David Ottaway 1993, Mark Fox 1997.
NETBALL
The first season was quite successful with the C grade and Junior netball making it through to finals, but unfortunately not able to win the flag.
The netball teams have continued to be quite successful with a Junior premiership in 1985, A grade in 1990 and 1992, and our most successful netball side, C grade, who have taken out premierships in 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1997. C grade featured in thirteen final series in a row, their worst effort over this period being the preliminary final, and their best, featuring in many, but winning four grand finals, many of which were played against our fiercest rival at the time, Inglewood. Our B grade have become one of the best bridesmaid sides in the league, making it to the grand final on many occasions but never quite taking one out.
We have been very fortunate to attract some excellent players who have been recognised for their abilities by winning the league Best and Fairest.
A Grade; Sharryn Wilson 1992, Tania Braslis 2000, Robyn Cunnington 2004.
B Grade; Bronwyn Baker 1990, Caroline Moon 1993, Kaye Wellington 1996, Jo O'Meara 1998.
C Grade; Donna Sutton 1985, Kristen Lowe 1998, Michelle Rogers 2001, Camille Reed 2003, Tracey McKean 2005.
Junior; Donna Turner 1983, Alicia McGlashan 2000.
THE CLUB:
Existing clubrooms in the early days have since been re-built and remodelled, and the latest extensions in 2008 included an office, coolroom, updated canteen and storage area, with general upgrades a continuing item on the to-do and doing list.
With input from the local cricket club, a front veranda was erected and paved (circa 2004), which gives great viewing over the ground and also some protection from the elements.
Seriously sports minded, we are also seriously social minded, believing a good social atmosphere assists in developing a better sporting atmosphere. And being a family oriented club the whole family can be involved in some capacity, on or off the field.
A few times in the past the ground has been flooded, and in one instance a home game was relocated to another venue due to the ground being underwater. Just a minor inconvenience.
At the other end of the scale, in the early stages of the drought, we were very fortunate in season 2003, to get access to water, But in 2009 with the drought still ongoing, it was becoming increasingly difficult for us and many other clubs to get access to water, and it turned out to be a very costly but very necessary exercise. Football and netball in country areas is, in most cases, at the heart of the community, where many share the little rivalries that come with sport, but also have the opportunity to support each other and to discuss the difficult times we all continue to face.
As in most clubs, our committees have worked tirelessly to keep the club running smoothly (most times!), and are the nucleus that keep the wheels turning.
We have been very fortunate to have some excellent members over past years and currently, who have given generously of their time and expertise (whatever that may be) of which without, our club would not be able to operate effectively. We can only hope this continues on, as we sail fearlessly through the twenty-first century.