NYAH Nyah West United’s second night game will give authorities a better understanding of the demand for night football in Swan Hill.
The Round 17 fixture, to be played against the Mallee Eagles under lights tomorrow night, will be the Demons’ second night game after the successful season opener against Kerang on Anzac Day.
The scheduling of the Round 1 game as a standalone public holiday fixture meant it was difficult to get a proper read on public interest for after-dark footy, United secretary Vicki Allen said.
“It’s hard to say because the first game we played was a bit unique being Anzac Day. Hopefully [tomorrow’s game] does attract a few extra people down to watch it,” she said.
“This is really the first normal home and away game under lights.”
Allen said “one or two” night games were most likely to be scheduled in the next few years.
“We would certainly look at maybe one or two a season, it wouldn’t be something that we would want to do on an every-week basis,” she said.
Allen said that early or late-season fixtures were also preferred.
“It’s something we would try and lock in to early or late in the season, just because it’s too cold in the middle of the year,” she said.
Allen said feedback after the Round 1 fixture had been positive.
“Ash Thompson spoke with the players after the game and they felt that it was quite good to play under,” she said.
“We also got good feedback from spectators — they said it was good to watch and especially out on the balcony they had a really good view.”
United is leading the way as the first club to introduce lighting for night footy in the Swan Hill region. Other clubs are likely to follow suit in coming years, with the move giving the CMFNL more dynamic scheduling options.
Allen said being the first to get on board with night footy was a source of pride for United.
“It’s pretty exciting, it’s excellent for the community out there,” he said.
The senior football game will start at 6.25pm tomorrow, with the game likely to finish at about 9pm.
