The city's Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) team will play its first game since 2019 against visiting Ballarat at Strathfieldsaye this Sunday.

It follows an upsetting season without football last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That disappointment has well and truly dissipated as the Suns, under new coaches Joshua Martyn and Mitch Greer, prepare for their season opener.

"We started training last week and it's good to see everyone back and getting involved," Martyn said.

"we're rapt to have a game coming up on Sunday. You can tell by all the happy faces that everyone is rapt to be back.

"The enthusiasm is something to see, we've got great numbers and there are a few new teams in the league this year. The girls and boys are all keen to be involved and get back to playing footy."

FIDA provides Victorians with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in Australian Rules Football at a competitive level.

New teams for 2021 include Kyneton and Rupertswood, who met in their respective season openers last weekend.

Martyn was certain the entry of the new teams would create some instant friendly rivalries for the Suns and would make the scheduling of matches much easier.

The Suns were often forced to travel long distances in 2019 to play their matches.

"We had teams like Wodonga and Wangaratta last season, which was a bit of a hike, now it's much more of a local league," Martyn said.

The Suns had nearly 30 players attend a come and try day last month and a similar number at last week's first official training session.

If numbers continue to rise, the dream of fielding two Suns teams will become a reality.

"We really do have a big list, but the beauty is no one will miss out - every player will get game time," Martyn said.

"It does chop and change a bit, who's available each week, and there are some players who only want to play a quarter or two each game.

"FIDA is all about the involvement and giving everyone opportunities."

Martyn said a thrill for Greer and himself in their short time at the helm had been the quick development of some players and the sheer enjoyment shared by the group.

"We do have some very handy footballers, so it will be interesting to see how we gel," he said.

"There are a lot of new faces out here.

"Like any football club, what our players went through during COVID, no football was a massive chunk out of their life.

"They really missed the camaraderie and spending time with each other. Not being able to do that was a big change.

"But I think that's why the numbers are so big now and have come back even stronger now."

Among those eager to make a good early impression on the field is Brittney Hall, who is in her second season with the Suns.

Hall was the first female to join the Suns and is thrilled to see plenty of others follow her lead.

"I dragged some of my friends over to have a kick and play with me," she said.

"Missing football last year was really bad, I was still really learning how to kick the ball and kick for goal, so I didn't get a chance to do it.

"I'm really excited for Sunday. I play on the wing and this year I really want to get my skills up and make more friends."

Sunday's game starts at 12.30pm.

READ MORE:

Kyneton Tigers launch FIDA team

Johnny Palmer itching to return for Victorian FIDA league club Bendigo Suns

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