Tara Murray
Things are looking up for Laverton on and off the field in the Western Region Football League.
After a tough season in division 3 last year, the Magpies have been putting plenty of work in off field to turn things around.
After just three wins in 2022 the club has added some key recruits for next season.
Coach Tony Jofre said things were tracking better for his second season in charge of the side.
“It has been good up until Christmas,” he said.
“There have been some good numbers. We struggled for numbers last year, but we’ve managed to get a few players for this year.
“We’re hopefully building a good squad and a good culture and adding new players is part of that.”
The Magpies have already announced a number of their new signings.
Tom Congerton, who is a tall key position player, comes across from the South Football League premier division.
Matt Vorbach, who will be part of the Magpies midfield, also comes across from the SFL
Ubil Chol, who has played at a number of clubs including Caroline Springs, has also joined the club.
He previously played for the Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League and spent time at Collingwood as part of the club’s AFL Next Generation Academy.
Former Sandringham Dragons player Ayang Nyanjok returns to Melbourne after playing in Queensland last year.
Caleb Goodrum and Antony Pasqua have also joined the Magpies.
Jofre said the focus for the side this year was to be more consistent week in, week out. He said they didn’t play out the season last year.
Off field, the club has welcomed a number of new sponsors.
The club’s oval, Laverton Park, will be known at TIV Oval after the club’s new major sponsor.
Jofre said having the local community get on board behind the club was really important.
“A lot of sponsors have come on board,” he said.
“We’ve always struggled, but we’re now in a position where we’re being helped out by a lot of businesses in the area.”
Jofre said the extra support in the club would help the club continue to try and redevelop a junior program.
The club had a standalone under-10 team last year, the first time they’d had their own junior team for a number of years.
Jofre said they were hoping to have two junior teams this year and were focused on building a pathway all the way through from under-8s to under-18s and then seniors.
“That’s helping grow the club,” he said. “The club is focused on maintaining grassroot football and doing that through juniors, men’s and women’s football.”
With things looking good, Jofre said they’re encouraging more people in the local community to get on board and get involved in the positive environment of community sport.
