Season starts up

By Carli Mitchell
FOOTBALL and netball is finally back for another year, with the 2011 YVMDFNL season set to begin on Saturday 9 April with the first Division Two matches.
The off-season proved to be an important one for many clubs, with various players coming and going, and ground and facility upgrades taking place.
The facilities and netball court for Seville have improved, as has the ground for Belgrave, which will allow the team to have more home games than the previous season.
Kinglake has also managed to fundraise for lights to allow evening and night games and training during the season, which is an excellent addition to the footy league and for the club.
Kinglake has recruited many players from the Northern Football League, but lost Brent Gallichio as coach to the Eastern Football League.
Emerald now has Josh Taylor and Ryan Simpson as coach and assistant coach, with the latter back at the club after five seasons away at Hampton Park.
Yarra Junction managed to recruit centre half forward and ex-Woori Yallock player Daniel Ryan, who spent the past three seasons at Chirnside Park.
Since netball teams joined the league a few years ago, everything is looking good and has provided a lot of positives.
Numbers have increased tremendously, with almost every side having A, B and C teams.
Having more females around the football clubs has ultimately changed the atmosphere and attitudes of the usual male-dominated feel.
The big games this week include Emerald v Seville, a twilight match between Kinglake and Belgrave, Powelltown v Yarra Junction and Alexandra v Yea.
Division 1 games begin on 16 April. Visit www.yvmdfl.com.au for more information.