Whistle blows on play

While many community sports are champing at the bit to get going, Football Margaret River dusted off their boots for a huge pre-season opening at the weekend.

More than 250 players across all age divisions, in 20 teams, played in the soccer club’s intra-club competition last Saturday at Gloucester Park.

Players aged from five to 50 from the Margaret River region all kicked off on the same day, bringing together club seniors and juniors for a long-awaited and much-anticipated day of soccer.

“It was great to be able to get everyone out there on the very first day of eased restrictions, with all the players buzzing with excitement to get their boots on and get out on the pitch,” FMR chairman Paul Brown said.

Club representatives said the senior men’s and women’s teams put up a great fight against the youth league teams, while younger players played against other junior Margaret River teams.

“We had plenty of players new to the game in the junior ranks, and even a few that came out of retirement to play for the seniors, which created a great energy for the first day back,” Mr Brown said.

He thanked businesses for their support, with Priceline donating hand sanitiser and businesses offering prize vouchers for player awards.

The second round takes place tomorrow.

The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Junior Soccer Association competition is expected to kick off in late July.