The junior Mittagong Lions will have a fresh view on football in 2017.
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The Lions have introduced a new pathways program to expose young players to senior, grade football.
More than 160 young players have registered with the club in 2017 and a number of new sponsors have committed to the club for the upcoming season.
New sponsors, Align Constructions and Engineering, Aussie Homes in Mittagong, Telstra Shop in Mittagong, Highlands Energy and Highland Electronic funded the club’s new polo shirts.
The 16A and B squad have been given brand new polo shirts for the upcoming season as part of the Pathway Program.
The 16s will wear their new polo shirts to all club games and functions with black trousers and black shoes as part of their uniform under the new clothing policy.
The policy was introduced by the Executive Committee, to prepare the boys for senior football in the Mittagong Senior Rugby League Club.
Under the new pathway program, the 16s will attend a game day experiences with the seniors, which will include being in the sheds before a game and after a game to help them understand what it takes to be a grade footballer at the club.
Training sessions with the senior playing group will also help the junior Lions to understand the plays and structures with first grade coach, Dan Beardshaw.
Education classes including drug alcohol and sex education for the boys will also be part of the program.
Junior players will also educated about diet and nutrition programs with help from the Highlands Health Club in Mittagong.
Strength and conditioning will also be emphasised under the new program.
Mittagong Junior Lions Rugby League Club secretary Billy Hayward thanked new and returning club sponsors for their support.
“Our sponsors and executive committee have taken the club into a new era by being proactive both on and off the field,” he said.
“Without these wonderful sponsors, games and programs would not be possible and we thank them all so much.”
The young Lions will have the chance to exhibit their skills in trial matches against Picton on Saturday, March 18 at Mittagong Sports Ground.
Games will commence at 8am.
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
