The Young Saints AFL Club has withdrawn from all Central West AFL competitions in 2019.
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President Geoff Harmer made the announcement in a statement on the club’s Facebook page earlier this year.
It was a tough decision for the club’s hierarchy, who worked hard to get the club back to its feet in 2007.
“Over the last five or six years it’s been pretty lackluster. It’s been very hard to keep it going,” Geoff Harmer said.
“It’s really disappointing. I was there for 1988 and we didn’t come back until 2007, that’s a 19 year break. It’s been an enjoyable 10 or so years before it’s fallen apart again.”
Harmer says rebuilding a senior side will require a focus on junior development, and more senior players on the committee with a genuine interest.
His goal is to form a couple of junior sides and possibly a women's youth league team for the 2020 season, and gradually build from there.
A number of Saints, including Harmer’s sons, have signed to play with Temora in the Farrer League while some of the ladies will line-up for Parkes in 2019.
Harmer hopes to gather some ideas from these clubs and spark some interest in Young in six or seven months time.
“I think we’re going to have to start at the juniors and work out way back to seniors,” Harmer said.
“We’re not going to worry about things right now. We’ll come back with some fresh minds and hopefully get juniors and a ladies youth side.
“If we get seniors in 2020 or 2021 that’s a bonus.”
Harmer also plans to establish interest in schools.
“Hopefully we can get into the schools and get something going again. We did have the Saints Cup played between the two High Schools. Maybe we can get into the primary schools as well.”
The club’s highlights during the past 11 years include two Central West AFL reserve grade premiership victories and one under 14s grand final win.
Harmer noted the resurgence of the Cowra Blues in 2019, bouncing back after withdrawing midway through the 2017 season.
“Cowra has done it and they’re looking very positive. We wish them all the best. You want to see towns like Cowra doing well.”