The Two Blues Juniors have already appointed respected netball coach Carolyn Burgess as a netball development officer and want to follow suit with a part-time football appointment.

Club member and father-of-three, Luke Irons, said they decided they had to be proactive in pursuing players from their region, rather than sit back in hope, if the club is to be viable.

“We’re struggling for numbers so we sat down and thought, we’ve got some kids coming through, like six and under, but we need to get a few different kids involved,” Irons said.

“We think the best step forward is to get a development officer involved to help us get organised and attract a few more kids from the area. 

“We’ve got such a good family culture here and if we can attract a few netballers and footballers and get them excited to play for us, that will help us out.

“It’s a part-time role and we’re chasing someone who’s keen and enthusiastic who can provide a bit of guidance and can work in with the AFL (development officers).”

The role involves appointing and developing junior coaches, visiting schools and organising gala days. 

The Two Blues hosted a successful small schools football and netball day at Barellan Sportsground on Monday, featuring more than 180 children from schools including Weethalle, Euabalong, Rankins Springs, Beckom and Barellan.

Players from Barellan’s senior club were heavily involved.

AFL NSW/ACT development coordinator, Che Jenkins, said the club was to be applauded for an innovative approach.

“Barellan came to us after the South West Juniors season and said they wanted to get on the front foot... and we developed a bit of a game plan for what they can do and how we can fit in with their plans,” Jenkins said.

Two of the early ideas were to hold a gala day and to add the in-house development roles.

Jenkins stressed the Barellan development officer will work alongside the AFL’s broader development program, not against it.

“Their outlook is they need someone with a Barellan hat on,” he said.

“We can provide the skills and expertise and they can work in with what we’ve done with school visits and promotional activity. But they’ll have that second layer of contact (with schools).”

The Two Blues believe there are prospective netballers and footballers from within the region who can be encouraged to join their club. 

Jenkins said senior footballers getting involved with the junior club’s initiative showed a broad commitment from the Two Blues to try to build a bigger base.

“They’ve identified the issue and taken the next step to do something about it,” Jenkins said.

“They want to make it an attractive club and one that’s professional. 

“Barellan rep netball already has a really good reputation and they want to replicate that in football. By advertising roles and holding gala days, it shows they’re proactive and professional.”