Sport
29 May, 2023
Lights, camera, action for Newstead in historic first night game for club
Saturday will see a history-making first for the Newstead FNC, hosting their first ever game under lights when they play Maldon. Both football and netball will be played at 6.05 pm on Saturday night, with a big crowd expected. Kangaroos president...
Saturday will see a history-making first for the Newstead FNC, hosting their first ever game under lights when they play Maldon.
Both football and netball will be played at 6.05 pm on Saturday night, with a big crowd expected.
Kangaroos president Mark Leckey said he was excited for the prospect of the community showing out in force to support the club.
“I think it’s about promoting the game and community sport. That’s what I’m most excited about. We are trying to showcase Newstead as a community, and that’s the main drive of what I am doing,” he said.
“I’m so appreciative of Maldon coming to the fore and doing something a little different. I’m thankful for Maldon that they agreed to it.
“The thing that I’m really proud of is that the whole community is talking about the night game. People are looking forward to it.”
The Kangaroos, thanks to funding from the state government, were able to install their new lights late in the 2022 season, and have now planned for more night games to be played down the track.
Leckey also revealed the Kangaroos were aiming to play a minimum of two night games a season from 2024 onwards, and was hoping other clubs would come forward to help share the experience.
“Once we were the recipients of the new lights through the state government funding, we felt we would have the best lights in the district, and we felt that we would use these to our advantage, enhancing the game and trying to get more people to a game, instead of a normal Saturday afternoon,” he said.
“Was it years in the planning? No. We thought we might have been able to get one last season, but our lights weren’t installed until very late last season. Once we saw their capability, we contacted Maldon and asked them if they’d be interested.
“Based on the success of this game, we’d love to have this as a permanent part of the fixture, have a minimum of two night games per season, and invite other clubs to share the experience.”
Leckey said after participating in the Good Friday clashes with Maldon in the past, it was a good way to reciprocate, something that Maldon counterpart Jamie Cox was all too happy to oblige with.
“We’ve participated in their Good Friday matches over the last couple of years, so I felt it would be fitting to have a standalone game at Newstead against Maldon. (President) Jamie Cox was onboard straight away. That’s how it all came about,” he said.
“We also have really good lights on our netball courts, so we will have plenty on offer with senior football and A grade netball starting from 6.05 pm. They will be great matches.
“We have an underlying rivalry with Maldon, but we get on very well. We hope we put on a great show for all the followers, supporters, and anyone else who comes on the night.”
Leckey also revealed changes to the Saturday menu for the game, explaining that a special menu will be devised with the help of Newstead local Craig Sproat.
“We are also changing the Saturday menu. We have a Newstead resident, Craig Sproat, who will be cooking pulled pork buns, chicken schnitzel rolls, beer on tap, we’ll do things a bit differently to a traditional Saturday afternoon menu,” he said.
“Craig jumped on board, and has run our Auskick clinic. I only had to ask him once, and he was ready to go.”
Leckey urged supporters of clubs around the district to come and watch the game.
“I encourage other clubs that are travelling through from other games to come in and enjoy the experience. This is all about showcasing Newstead and the football netball club,” he said.
