IT'S TIME: Tom Marshall, Chris Pidd and Cam Burns at the AWFA season launch. Pictures: MARK JESSER

Representatives from all 12 Albury Wodonga Football Association (AWFA) clubs were on hand for the competition’s season launch at the Commercial Club on Thursday.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

There has been plenty of hype ahead of round one as to what teams will be pushing for the title come September.

Defending cup champions Myrtleford and rivals Wangaratta City have been widely tipped by many as the teams to beat.

AWFA vice-president of business operations Chris Pidd opened the day’s proceedings and revealed the healthy state the Border competition is currently in.

“Our local game boasts 2600 players from the age of four to 60 plus,” Pidd said.

Pictures: MARK JESSER

“They play every weekend from April to September.

“To break that down, there are around 1300 four to 11-year-olds that form part of the Miniroos program that is replicated across the region on Saturday.

“Every Sunday between now and September, there are 60 games played across the region, with over 2000 players and officials involved.

“Future stars are born and bred and trained here.

“Archie Thompson and Amy Chapman, to name just a couple, are people that have left this region after the fine coaching and fine support they have had to go on and have careers with the Socceroos and Matildas.”

Pidd admitted the competition couldn’t run without the hard work of a wide range of supporters.

“We don’t do any of this without our local government partners Albury City, Alpine Shire, Indigo Shire, Moira Shire, Rural City of Wangaratta and the City of Wodonga,” he said.

“They provide support for all of our grounds, we cannot do this without them.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the life members of the Albury Wodonga Football Association and the clubs.

“Most importantly, I’d like to mention every coach, player, the game day officials and the parents that turn out week in, week out, to make this game the success it is.

“Last, but not least, I wish to acknowledge the referees.

“They’re the ones that cop it sometimes week in, week out, and we should support them because without them our game does not survive.”

The 2017 AWFA executive committee is made up of Pidd, Mark Leman, Keira Hayes, Simon Randall, Rad Sredojevic, Belinda Antonello, Tony Cigana, Steve Hayes and Nico Mathews.