Tara Murray
It’s exciting times ahead for Tarneit in the Western Football League division 2.
After a tough time in 2024, the club has a new committee, new coach and set to debut a new look.
Maxine Modrich has taken on the presidency role and is excited for the challenge.
“I’m excited now before the season starts,” she said. “There were a number of different reasons why I put my hand up. Since Sue [Thomas] stepped down, no one had put their hand up.
“I knew I would have the backing of the committee which I needed. I’m a single mum with two boys and there’s a lot on my plate.
“My boys play at the club and I’ve been on the general committee for five years.”
Modrich takes on the role as they look to bounce back from a tough 2024.
The senior and reserves sides won just three matches each after the competitions went from three divisions to two.
Modrich said while there were some tough results, especially for the reserves, the group was able to stick together and fight out each game.
She said early signs in the pre-season had been good and there was plenty of positivity.
“We had 47 at the first night of training, that is more than we were getting throughout last season,” she said. “Come Monday we had 43 and some of them had not been the first night.”
Max De Groot has come on as senior coach after coaching the reserves last season.
Modrich said that De Groot had the respect of the playing group.
“He is great and the boys look up to him,” she said. “Max is a mate but steps up to be coach when he needs to be.”
Helping with the numbers is the reintroduction of an under-18s side for the first time since 2021.
Modrich said it was exciting for the club to have that full pathway into senior football.
“Troy [Dumbleton] has coached them to three grand finals, two under-16s and one under-14s,” she said.
“Some of those boys have made the step up and had to go straight into reserves football and it’s a huge jump.
“With the 18s, the boys are making those senior and reserved boys step back and take notice.
“It is great to try and make the senior guys try a bit harder.”
The club has also seen growth in its Auskick program which has grown from 21 children to 55 in the space of 12 months.
Off field, the club is in the works of a new football jumper and new logo, while the club’s new electronic scoreboard will be working for next year.
