Leading the charge for 2022

The Yarrawonga Pigeons have announced their coaching staff for season 2022 securing the signatures of all three current head coaches.

Mark Whiley will again lead the senior team for his third season. Mark’s initiation to coaching could not have been harder with his first year decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic without a single home and away game played for the 2020 season.

2021, whilst also hit by Covid-19, has been ravaged by injury with Mark getting less than a handful of games from his stars Wheeler (Will), Koopman, Symes, Schulz and Bonat.

Not to mention long term injuries to mainstays such as Seymour and Oswald.

However, the injuries provided opportunities to some younger Pigeons allowing Mark to put increased game time into the likes of Jackson Meade, Jack Forge, Zac Banch and Will Wheaton. Further, the void created by injured players has meant players such as Connor Griffiths, Josh Tonna and Jordan Urquhart have had to play key roles for the entire season.

This investment is sure to pay dividends. Mark and his coaching team have introduced an increased level of professionalism with increased training loads, a club gym, GPS tracking, video reviews of the game and individualised video edits packages for each player of their previous week’s match.

With the uncertainty of the season still playing out, the Pigeons are working overtime to get the maximum out of their 2021 campaign.

In the Reserves, Matthew Grinter has signed on for the 2021 season. Whilst he is yet to announce his coaching partners, excitement continues to build around the seconds.

The squad, which Matt has been the backbone of for more than a decade, is again well placed to challenge, looking to secure the double chance and possibly play in their eighth Grand Final in 11 seasons.

The thirds will again be led by experienced junior coach Craig Frauenfelder. In a related a fashion to the seniors injuries, the thirds has been consequently pillaged of its best players to fill the void.

The promotion of Wheaton, Banch, Smith and Sexton to senior football in 2021, has ultimately cost the thirds a number of victories.

However, just like in the firsts, it has provided a great opportunity for other players to stand up and become prime movers.

Heading into 2022 there is coming up from Shane Forge’s U16 team a number of readymade thirds players who have been cleverly rotated through the squad thirds and U16 squads in 2021.

Come and exercise at the Grove

In an initiative from the Yarrawonga Pigeons,

the club have decided to light up the Grove (JC Lowe Oval) between 5:30pm8:00pm and will continue to do so every night this week for locals living within a 5km radius of the ground.

The club hope by providing this base it will allow supporters and members to get out and exercise.

Take the family for a stroll, kick a goal or two or even put up a couple of shots on the netball courts.

Ensure you follow the Government directions but get out there and enjoy the Grove!