Birchip Bulls are Back — at School!

The North-Central Football League’s 2020 season has been cancelled, but the training track is still buzzing at the Birchip-Watchem Football Club.

AFL Central Victoria sanctioned a return to training for North-Central clubs from May 25.

Buloke Shire extended the date to June 1, while emphasising that relevant COVID-19 safety measures were to be in place. 

Eager to give players an opportunity to train as soon as possible, Birchip-Watchem completed all necessary requirements and senior footballers returned to training on June 4.

COVID-19 safety guidelines were not the only change the Bulls were presented with on their return to the training track. 

With their home ground of George Cartwright Oval still in the midst of a highly-an­ticipated upgrade, training is taking place at the Birchip P-12 School oval. 

Principal Andrew Sayle and the Birchip P-12 School Council have generously made the school’s oval available for training sessions. 

Additionally, club sponsor Buloke Hire, has made training at night possible by donating three portable light towers for the club to use.

Birchip-Watchem Football Club president Andrew Frank praised senior coach Lochlan Sirett for his commitment in continuing to co-ordinate training sessions despite the NCFL’s announcement on June 5 that the 2020 season has been cancelled. 

“In small communities such as ours, football is about more than the Saturday competition,” said Andrew. 

“Training sessions give players an opportunity to be active and maintain their physical fitness while socialising with their peers” 

“It is a testament to Lochlan’s character and the character of our players that they have continued weekly training runs despite having no obligation to do so. The energy and enthusiasm of those on the track is great to see.”

While the senior group is training weekly on Thursday nights, Birchip-Watchem’s Under-16s are also having a weekly session with coach Jarrod Tyler on Tuesday afternoons. 

N-CFL Rules and Events Manager, Lance Standfield, has indicated that there remains a possibility that a North-Central junior program or competition will take place in 2020. 

Furthermore, AFL Central Victoria has invited North Central clubs to participate in the Bendigo Junior Football League’s Under-18 competition that has a targeted start date of July 18. 

Although this potential for competition is noteworthy, again this is not the sole focus for Birchip-Watchem. 

Coach Tyler’s sessions allow the Bulls juniors to maintain and/or develop their football skills for the future, and receive the physical and social benefits of football training.

For any interested players, senior trainings will continue at Birchip P-12 School oval on Thursdays, at 5:30 p.m., and under-16s’ trainings on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.. 

Please be aware that all COVID-19 safety requirements will be enforced, including no access to change- rooms, strictly no contact drills and the completion of a register that identifies all participants in attendance at each training session.