Strong wins to Mt Evelyn

By Kath Gannaway
MOUNT Evelyn footballers and netballers left no doubt on Sunday that at its highest level, the club is on solid ground early in the season.
Playing for the Professionals Cup against friendly rivals Wandin, Mount Evelyn’s A Grade netballers took the honours by 22 goals, 45 to 23, while the boys romped home with a percentage-boosting 140-point win over the Doggies.
The Mount Evelyn ground was packed for the special match which started with a lunch for sponsors, members, YVMDFL officials, and invited guests including Victorian Sports Minister and Monbulk MP James Merlino, Federal Casey MP Tony Smith, and Yarra Ranges councillor and number one ticket holder for the club Tim Heenan.
Mount Evelyn supporters Steve Ballord and Shane King teamed up for the National Anthem and Mount Evelyn Professionals manager Greg Earney tossed the coin to start the match.
Mr Earney presented the 2010 cups to the club captains Sarah Hogan and Steve Tesoriero.
Ella Priestley and Ben Farrugia were voted best players on the day.
In a pre-game talk, Mr Merlino spoke of the benefits which flow from grass-roots sport.
He said a highlight of his time as sports minister at a local level had been the introduction of the code of conduct which aimed to tackle the ‘ugly parent’ element at games.
“If there is a problem at a club and it is not stamped out then state funding is at risk,” he said.
He applauded the move to join netball and football and said where clubs had given equal weight to both they had proved to be the most successful clubs.
Mount Evelyn is in the process of constructing new netball courts adjacent to the football oval which they expect to play on before the end of this season.
He spoke of the benefits of sport including bringing the community together, and providing role models and career pathways.
“Every elite footballer and netballer starts at local community level,” he said. He went on to commend Mount Evelyn A Grade coach and player Jade Hottes on her move up the netball career ladder.