FOOTBALL is set to return to Pearce Reserve, Mandurang, for the first time since 1995.
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Bendigo Junior Football League club St Francis Falcons will use the oval as its base for the 2018 season.
Club president Dave Griffin said it was an exciting time for the Falcons, who have largely been without a home ground during their existence, and have played the majority of their games as away contests.
“It’s great to have somewhere to call home,” he said.
“The playing surface itself is good, but it’s taken a lot of work to get the surrounds and things up and running, including the kiosk.
“The league is happy about it – it’s been a real struggle to get grounds – so now there will be probably be five games a weekend out there.”
The Falcons will field one under-nine, three under-10 and two under-12 teams this season.
Last year’s under-12 A team finished the BJFL season as premiers.
Their move to Mandurang has been helped by funding from the Strathfieldsaye and Districts Community Enterprise for a custom-built cricket pitch cover City of Greater Bendigo for new goal posts.
Griffin said the move would not have been possible without the massive support of Mandurang Cricket Club and its president Chris Garlick, who wished the Falcons every success at their new base.
“This really makes this oval the sporting hub of the community,” Garlick said.
“We have great facilities out here and the cricket club is rapt to have someone to share those with.
“It will be great to see these young sides do well, but it’s just as important that they are having a bit of fun.”
Graeme Pearce, the long-time Mandurang resident who the oval is named in honour of, said he was delighted to see it again being used for football.
The oval was first used for football in the late-1970s following Mandurang’s admission to the junior football league.