Country areas to enjoy football celebrations through sport enrichment scheme

4/1/99

There will be football celebrations all round on June 19 thanks to the State Government's Country Sport Enrichment Scheme, Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore announced today.

Mr Moore said South Fremantle would take its Centenary Celebrations to the country through the scheme.

"The Bulldogs will take three teams to confront the best the Upper Great Southern Football League can put in the field," he said.

"This will be a magnificent day for football in regional Western Australia, with Kalgoorlie hosting a State clash between WA and Tasmania on the same day.

"The attraction to the football public of the Upper Great Southern will be immense.

"The links between South Fremantle and the Upper Great Southern League, the Bulldogs' zone, are immense.

"The talent produced in the area reads like a who's who of football, with names such as Mark Bairstow (South Fremantle and Geelong), and Peter and Phil Matera (South Fremantle, West Coast Eagles) leading the list.

"I am absolutely delighted that the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme, which I introduced to take top-class sport to regional WA, is making this day of celebration possible.

"With the Upper Great Southern Football League celebrating its 40th anniversary and one of the possible venues, Brookton, marking its own 100th birthday, it promises to be a special day."

The Bulldogs' league side will take on The Rams, the Upper Great Southern Football League's representative side, which is sponsored by the Upper Great Southern Stud Merino Breeders.

This will give the local side a good hit out ahead of Country Week.

There will also be an under-18s clash and a match between the Bulldogs development squad and their local equivalents.

South Fremantle Football Club president Terry Dean said the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme had made the event possible. The games would underline the ties between the Bulldogs and its country zone.

"We have worked out that over 50 players have come through the country zone since its inception," Mr Dean said.

"We are delighted to be able to go back to our country area to play."

Upper Great Southern Football League president Neil Ballard also welcomed the

Country Sport Enrichment Scheme initiative.

"It is a great opportunity for the players to test themselves against league footballers and to see if they can make the next step," he said.

"It is also a great opportunity for people to see league footballers performing in the bush.

"We are looking forward to the day because it will help celebrate South's 100th and our 40th anniversary."

Mr Moore said the State Government was delighted that the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme was proving such a big success.

"With over $200,000 allocated to the scheme, we have already seen top-class cricket and soccer played in regional areas," he said.

"There have also been world-class coaching clinics in triathlon, tennis, basketball and netball, as well as support for events such as karting and soaring.

"The Country Sport Enrichment Scheme is a tremendous success and it is regional Western Australians who are reaping the benefits."

Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 9321 1444, or - Bob Figg, Ministry of Sport and Recreation, 089 387 9749