Wyndhamvale will get a chance to show off its swanky new facility as host of the 2014 Western Region Football League division 2 season opener.
The Falcons have been drawn to play Sanctuary Lakes in the first round under lights in a Friday night special at the Blackforest Road complex on April 4.
Falcons football manager Nathan Evans said it would be a fitting way to usher in a new era for the club.
“Kicking off the season with a game under lights – it’s going to be a bit of a showpiece,” he said. “It’s exciting stuff for the club to have a brand new facility.
“We’ve worked hand in hand with the local council over the past five or six years to get it up and running … it’s been a lot of hard work
by a lot of important people, and it’s finally
come through.”
The Falcons moved into the facility in October and have already held pre-season training there.
The new ground is a stone’s throw from their original venue at Honour Avenue, which is still for the Falcons to use for women’s football, super rules and junior football.
With the area one of the fastest growing in the state, the Falcons will be able to accommodate record numbers of new members.
“We’re trying to encourage all kids to come and play because everyone is going to get a go,” Evans said. “What it’s all about is just having fun and we’ll now be able to accommodate anyone that wants to play the game.”
Night football at Wyndham Vale South Reserve is not going to be a one-off.
The Falcons have engaged eight local clubs to take part in a pre-season tournament in March, and are exploring the potential for more Friday and Saturday night games in 2014.
The Falcons have re-appointed player-coach Luke Dennerley for 2014.The rest of the coaching staff is also back on board and they have retained 95 per cent of the player group.
Stability is seen as the key to warding off the threat of third division, which comes in to play at the end of round 13 next season.
“That’s everyone’s aim – put in a big pre-season and recruiting drive to get themselves clear of division 3,” Evans said.
