This season the team will have a new coach, who said the team had the potential to deliver a premiership.

New coach, Dan Beardshaw said he would work with the club as a whole to focus on player development. 

“It won’t happen overnight but I think we can get a premiership the next couple of years,” he said. 

“They are a young side, but for this year the goal is definitely to make it to the finals.”

The Lions have also introduced a new program this year, to bring international players to the Group 6 stage. 

The senior Club are looking for eligible businesses, families and community groups to assist with accommodation and regional work for a small number of players.

As they strive to increase standards, the club has invited a number of international players to relocate to Australia, to experience life living within the Highlands community.

As part of the commitment, the club is looking for regional work prospects for these international players in the postcode areas of 2575, 2576, 2577, 2578 & 2579.

Upon completion of 88 days of rural work, the Department of Immigration will allow the players to stay and work in Australia for a further 12 months, with the potential to stay long term.

Each player has different skills and experiences; however, they are all reliable, strong, healthy, fit individuals who are motivated by the desire to meet the requirements of their visa to live and continue playing football in Australia. 

Approved industries for specified work within the Southern Highlands include:

• plant and animal cultivation

• fishing and pearling

• tree farming and felling

• mining

• Construction

Examples of eligible specified work:

• picking fruits on an orchard

• feeding and herding cattle on a farm

• horse breeding and stud farming

• landscaping the grounds of a construction/house site

• painting the interior/exterior of new buildings

• conservation and environmental reforestation work

• zoo work involving plant or animal cultivation

• erecting fences on a construction site 

 • scaffolding

Ideally, the club would like the work to be a regular, with one or two players every year having the opportunity to experience Australian Culture in the Southern Highlands. 

Club Secretary Simon Reid can be contacted at mittagonglions@outlook.com or 0478 777 222. Mittagong Lions Club President Dave Elliott can also be contacted at 0418 601 140 for further information.