The success-starved Wodonga Saints have put out a call to arms ahead of the upcoming season.
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Player incentives of up to $150 for the best player on the ground each game have been introduced in a bid to attract enough numbers to field a thirds side in 2017.
Thirds coach Dale Skinner said it wasn’t an easy decision and was initially opposed by some of the club’s committee, including himself.
“We had to pull our thirds out last year and if you don’t have a thirds team, you really struggle with recruiting, you lose revenue, volunteers and future players.” Skinner said.
“There are other clubs that have incentives like $50 for best on ground, so it needed to be something that will impact players and get them to make a decision.
“The ramifications of not having a thirds team two years in a row could have been very serious and puts a lot of pressure on the club.
“It’s very difficult to keep clubs operating, not only clubs that haven’t seen a lot of success like ours.”
Skinner admitted the club has come under plenty of fire since the announcement, with several misinformed claims every thirds player will be paid $150 per game.
“We’re not paying all our thirds players,” he said.
“It’s not a matter of turning up, playing well and getting $150, there’s other commitments that go in line with representing the club and being a part of the club.
“These kids are going to learn the importance of helping out, respect and discipline.
“The $150, $100 and $50 will go to the three best players on the ground, while the two remaining $50 awards will be used as further incentive for a most improved or someone that may not have played the best game, but was given a specific job on the field.
“If the guys who get best on ground don’t go and run the boundary when it’s their turn, work in the canteen or come to awards, the money will be reduced in value.”
The response has been positive so far, with 12 players at the first training session on Monday and several more interested.
“Obviously every coach wants their team to be successful, and for us being successful is getting a team on the park,” Skinner said.