Castlemaine Football Netball Club president Caleb Kuhle is not letting the doubters drain his passion or confidence.
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He continues to hear negative comments about Castlemaine's future from people outside the club's inner circle, but that only strengthens his resolve.
The Magpies will be competing in the Bendigo Football Netball League this year.
Are they going to be premiership contenders on the footy field? No.
Will we see signs of improvement from the senior footy side that was a long way off the mark in 2019? The signs are encouraging.
Kuhle and senior coach Don Moran have worked hard to build on a loyal group of young players.
Headlining the Pies' recruits is key defender Liam Wilkinson, who joins the club from Echuca.
"Liam has played 180 senior games in the Goulburn Valley and he's a really classy centre half-back,'' Kuhle said.
"He's a bit older, but he's exactly what we wanted. We're building a young core group of local players and to add someone of Liam's experience to help those young players is what we needed."
Read more: Catch up on the latest local footy news
The Pies have also been able to regain former senior players Jackson Hood and Klai Jermyn.
"Jackson was playing for Blackburn in Melbourne after he left Castlemaine in 2017, so to have him come back to the club is a great sign for us.
"Jackson could play full-back, key forward or in the ruck. He gives us options.
"He's back living in the Castlemaine area, which fits what we're trying to do.
"We're trying to get one-point players back to the club. We want to promote local talent and that pathway.
"Klai Jermyn is another player that has come back to the club.
"He's a crafty forward, who kicked quite a few goals for the club under Shane Robertson, and he's another player who adds some experience to the group."
One of Moran's goals since taking over the senior coaching role was to ensure the club didn't require players to double-up in reserve grade and senior matches.
Kuhle said the club had improved its numbers in the past 12 months.
His expectation was the club would field senior, reserves and under-18 teams without players doubling-up.
"We are adding depth to what we had,'' Kuhle said
"In terms of the seniors, we have a list of about 22 players that have played senior football and we'd like to get that to 30 if we can.
"Coming out of COVID, and considering where we were, that would be a good step for us.
"We have some talented kids coming through the under-18s as well, which is exciting."
Castlemaine plays Newlyn in a practice match at the Camp Reserve on March 27.
The Pies start their BFNL campaign on April 10 at home against South Bendigo.
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