WALLA and Rand-Walbundrie will merge after members gave the green light on Monday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hoppers members voted 100 per cent in favour of the joint venture while 83 per cent were on board at Rand-Walbundrie.
The club’s new name and colours will be discussed at a committee meeting at Walbundrie on Tuesday night.
A loud cheer went up at the Walla Sportsground when news of Rand-Walbundrie’s “yes” vote came through.
Walla president Noel Garlick was a relieved man after the meeting.
“It’s fantastic news, I’m very happy,” he said.
“Walla is still there, it’s still alive.
“There was a big cheer when we got the news from Rand-Walbundrie.
“We’ve all got to get behind this and make it work now.”
Rand-Walbundrie president Allan Thomas said both clubs were committed to providing a platform for junior football and netball.
“We’re really relieved – it just gives us a future now that we know we can bank on,” he said.
“This is all for the kids.
“There’s little things we still have to nut out but that’s fine, we’ll get it all sorted.
“The support has been fantastic – I’ve had a couple of presidents from other clubs ring and congratulate us on what we’re doing.”
Walla is the league’s most successful club with 15 premierships but hasn’t played finals since 2003.
Rand and Walbundrie merged ahead of the 2006 season when the Pigeons crossed from the now-defunct Coreen League.
The Hume League season kicks off on April 2, with a new draw to be released on Tuesday.