ANZAC Day football will return to the Central Murray with reigning premiers Nyah-Nyah West United set to play under lights as part of the communities Heritage Weekend celebrations.
The Demons will host arch-rivals Woorinen in a match that will not only honour the Anzacs, but will also be an early season test for two clubs who are expected to be contending for this year’s title.
The match, which will get underway from 5.45pm this evening, will begin a weekend of celebrations for the Nyah district community, with NNW United president Jarrod Skinner telling The Guardian it will be a big occasion for his club.
“It’ll be a big day and weekend for our community, we were able to host a home game this year with the knowledge that heritage weekend would be on and to kick off the celebrations for our community will be great for our club,” Skinner said.
“Vicki Allen and her team are doing a power of work in the district to have a heap happening, so we’re just falling off the back of that and with it being Anzac Day as well it will hopefully be a big day.
“We do a dawn service every year at the local cenotaph there at oval and then we host a breakfast upstairs at the clubrooms, so it will be a big day for our club people that help make that happen.
“Throughout the day we’ll recognise the Anzacs, the official ceremony is planned for 5.35pm and we’re going to do a little bit differently than in the past and plan to get everyone in one area closer to the clubrooms and involve everyone.
“Dylan Roberts, who’s a former member of the Royal Australian Air Force will be our MC and will lead both our footballers and netballers in a minute silence, the ode of remembrance and the national anthems.”
The other highlight is sure to be the drawing of the club’s car raffle, where the winner will walk away with a brand new Hyundai Kona.
It will form part of the entertainment for the Demons past players and members round, with the club also celebrating the 25-year anniversary of their 2000 and 2001 senior football premierships.
But with everything planned across the day, the most important aspect will be a couple of very important games of football and netball – games which have quickly become must-win contests for the Demons.
“It’s one we’ve just got to win, our boys just need to find that gear again and get going,” Skinner said.
“We need to get another win on the board, there’s a big difference between being 1-2 and 2-1 and it’ll be a challenge because Woorinen are a good side and they have started the season really well and are looking sharp.
“It’s going to be a big day for the senior footballers and also the senior netball will be a great game too.
“Both A grade netball teams are going to be pushing for finals and our netballers are looking to get the points to get their campaign up and going too.
“That game (A grade netball) kicks off at 12pm, which will be fantastic opportunity for those that want to get along and watch the netball separately without the senior football competing against it.
“Hopefully we get a big crowd of people who want to come along and enjoy the footy and netball on what’s going to be a pretty special day for our club.”
