After a first round bye, South Armidale are preparing to start their Northern Inland Premier League season with their first match against Oxley Vale Attunga this Saturday.
At the beginning of the year, it didn’t look likely the Scorpions would line up in premier league at all but call out on social media has seen a full squad form.
“We had a chat as a committee and we really wanted to stay in premier league and that is why we did that big effort to try and continue,” South Armidale president Joe Campbell said.
“We have two full squads going to Tamworth this week, I think we have four subs in reserve grade so going from looking like we were playing locals a month ago, now we have two full squads going and we have four or five guys out.
“We have probably 30 people to choose from every week which is where we want to be.
“It might be a struggle of a year with results on the scoreboard but at least we have the players there and they are only going to get better for the experience.
“We know it is going to be a building year and hopefully we will be competitive enough to challenge some of the teams but it is important to give these guys a go.”
The Scorpions are hoping to put their best foot forward and be competitive against last year’s grand finals.
“We know they have had a big changeover but saying that they are a strong club too,” Campbell said.
“We had a trial game last week which we had a good result in, that was against TAS but it is a different level stepping up to premier league from the local division, it is a lot harder.
“We were happy with the result but understand it is a massive step up still.”
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
