Sport
18 August, 2023
Momentum on Bombers side
Noradjuha Quantong enter the 2023 Horsham and District Football Netball League finals with a lot of momentum through both football and netball. The senior football team just missed out on finals last year. This year they finished third on the ladder...
Noradjuha Quantong enter the 2023 Horsham and District Football Netball League finals with a lot of momentum through both football and netball.
The senior football team just missed out on finals last year. This year they finished third on the ladder and are playing Edenhope Apsley in an elimination final tomorrow at the Rupanyup Recreation Reserve.
It is their first finals campaign since 2019 when they lost to Harrow Balmoral and club President Matt Treacy says the club is looking forward to the challenge.
“Last year missing finals was very hard to take. We enter this year knowing we have a solid squad that can put up a massive performance on their day,” Treacy said.
“We have a full squad coming together and playing good football at the right time of the year. It depends on how you turn up mentally on the day. We are in a position where we can have a good crack and can be confident we can get a positive outcome.”
“What Damian Cameron has produced with this group is special. Our previous coach Gareth Hose set the standard of professionalism. Damian is very similar but has a different technique. The group play for him and that’s what you want out of your coach,” Treacy explained.
It is an exciting time for the football club with having the right age group to challenge for many years to come.
“We have a bulk group of players that have come through the Under 17’s and now start to hit that 50 to 70 game mark. They have a lot of maturity under their belt now and whatever happens this year, they are gaining finals experience, which is very important,” Treacy said.
The Reserves are the reigning premiers and finished second on the ladder on the same amount of wins as Harrow Balmoral whom they play in the Qualifying Final next weekend at North Park.
“It is an exciting time. We are starting to get a few players back in the reserves but it can change from week to week with availability for the seniors and injuries. We are going to give it a good crack to go back to back,” Treacy said.
The Under 14’s finished second on the ladder and are also in the hunt for a premiership. They play Kalkee in the Qualifying Final at North Park next weekend.
“The Under 14’s are an exciting group. They have come through our Auskick program which is continuing to grow with 45 participants this year. Over the last couple of years they have been a young team on the wrong side of the scores a lot of the weeks. Last year they just missed the finals and this year they have grown as a group,” Treacy explained.
“They play a great brand of football and they enjoy it too which is the main thing. It is exciting to see what they can bring in finals. Club stalwarts Rowan Adams and Jason Rowe have done a tremendous job coaching the team.”
The Netballers are also set to go well in finals. The A Grade made it with a win on the weekend and all senior sides are in the finals. The Under 15’s are playing in the finals as well which gives the club great representation. Treacy pointed out the NetSetGo program as important.
“Last week we had our NetSetGo Presentations. We had 50 girls registered. We need to nurture them and provide them with good facilities and coaches and that will keep us viable for a few years,” Treacy said.
Half way during the season it was announced that Quantong will host the Grand Final. When asked how much of a boost that is for the club, Treacy said it was massive.
“It’s a great reward for effort. With the amount of volunteer time it took to get this facility to where it is today, it’s a great feeling. It’s good exposure for this facility.”
“We were lucky this year to get a Sport Rec Victoria Grant together with a contribution from the club and Rural City Council to get an irrigation and sprinkler system put in. We were able to upgrade the lighting as well.”
“It is the first time the Grand Final has been held at a District League Club football ground and if we make it, that extra five percent could help,” Treacy concluded.