By Dongyun Kwon
Yarra Glen Football Netball Club (YGFNC) is now getting a squad for veterans (vets) football for the first time.
Vets football is a football league for players over 35 years old who want to continue playing footy in a fun and less competitive manner.
YGFNC vets football team coach Lee Lawrence is calling more players to join the team.
“Men’s mental health is a huge issue in this age bracket and getting them out on the field and socialising is a great way to release the pressure of everyday life,” he said.
“We currently have 20 players on our list and the aim for a squad is to have at least 35 players. If we get more, that’s even better.
“Vets football is played every second weekend and we understand that players may not be available on some weekends, so having a big list allows us to get good rotation between players.”
Lawrence has had good experience coaching and playing for the YGFNC.
The reason why he accepted the coach role for the vets team is because he believes it would be fantastic for the area.
The coach said he has many experiences in football.
“I played most of my football at the Coldstream Football Club then came across to Yarra Glen,” Lawrence said.
“I have coached junior football at different age groups. I’ve coached under 18s at Coldstream, reserves at Yarra Glen for four years and been an assistant senior coach at Yarra Glen and Healesville.
“I am also the man behind the Valley Vicious Football social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. Our page is a fun and friendly way of expressing our great game in our local area and has over 13,000 followers. I am also the organiser of the Valley Vicious Rett Syndrome Awareness Cup that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Rett Syndrome Association of Australia.”
As a coach of the vets team, Lawrence will focus on building a fun football environment for middle-aged men this year.
“My focus with coaching the vets this year will be bringing great people back to our fantastic club, having a fun environment for middle-aged men to be around and getting rid of the everyday stress that life brings,” he said.
The coach is planning to start the team training in February and also planning to have a barbecue party at 6pm on Thursday 30 January to meet the players before starting the team training.
Anyone interested in joining the YGFNC vets team is welcome to contact Lawrence via email at football@ygfnc.com or phone at 0434 698 950.
