By: Veronica GOTTARDO

CORIO Bay SC juniors are off to a great start following their first historic MiniRoo’s match against the Elcho Park Cardinals last Sunday morning at the Lara Recreation Reserve.

PHOTO: Corio Bay U9’s coach and team coordinator Veronica Gottardo with the proud members of the club’s inaugural U9’s Miniroos team

The team is the first Junior side Corio Bay SC has produced in almost five years and its first MiniRoos team in close to a decade, following the departure of their players to other clubs over the years!

As a developing club, Corio Bay has struggled to establish a strong junior presence despite advertising, organising coaches and training sessions.

The current U9s Mixed team, which consists of 10 players, was only made possible as a result of a special Pilot Program initiated by the Geelong Region Football Committee (GRFC) and funded by Football Federation Victoria (FFV).

Both of the participating clubs, Corio Bay and newly formed FC Leopold, were paired with schools in their local area to gather interest and to register as many children as possible to kickstart their (junior) club’s section.

Corio Bay was paired with Northern Bay College and the side was organised by the school’s physical education coordinator, Gordana Krsul, who has been instrumental in getting her enthusiastic students to participate in real competitive games of football.

Alongside the program, additional funding supplied by Leisure Networks has enabled the majority of the Corio Bay kids to register without paying any fees themselves and allowing the club to supply them with shinpads, socks, boots and a brand new uniform ahead of a new adventure in the GRFC MiniRoos leagues.

Not only was funding supplied by generous club members, but even the coach Kruno Madjeric and parents (members) from last Sunday’s opponents (Elcho Park Cardinals) kindly offered to provide snakes and oranges on the day to the Corio Bay kids.

Immediately after the game, officials from the Cardinals’ parent club, the North Geelong Warriors, approached Corio Bay’s coach and offered to help supply more equipment and uniforms, knowing of the struggles Corio Bay has faced in recent seasons.

David Robertson, father of junior player Erica and life member of the Corio Bay Cricket and Sports Club claims he was "shocked" upon discovering Corio Bay SC had submitted a team, following many years of hardship.

The support from the volunteers, fellow club members and opposing club members has allowed Corio Bay to receive a much needed boost to further develop juniors at the club and aim to expand on the current squad.

In the next few years, the club hoping to field a range of teams, including Mixed Under 9’s, an all girls’ junior team as well as teams in many other age categories.

FFV Zone Development Officer Foddy Kyprian is buoyed by the latest developments at Corio Bay SC.

“It is very important that all the GRFC clubs have a junior program and I would like to commend Corio Bay SC for all the hard work behind the scenes. It’s a fantastic result for all those involved,” he said.