NATIMUK United’s senior football side will feature in finals for the first time in the Horsham District Football Netball League.
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The side secured its spot in finals with a win against Edenhope-Apsely in Saturday’s final home and away round.
As well as being a first for the club since the merger between Horsham United and Natimuk following the 2013 season, it will be the first time a Natiumuk based senior side has played finals since 1997.
Club president Adam Blake said it was just enormous.
“I wasn’t there 20 years ago but to see the excitement of all the supporters and committee members that were was fantastic," he said.
“I made an effort on Saturday to see as many of them that were there as possible.
“It was a massive day for the club.”
Blake said that while the achievement was celebrated long into Saturday night the playing group knew that this is not where the hard work stopped.
“We’re now in a position where we can take it even further hopefully,” he said.
Blake said the appointment of Sam Anson as the club’s senior coach was pivotal to the team’s improvement.
“To have a person that has gone away from the club and had success come back, with that sentimental attachment, was massive,” he said.
“There has also been a close group of players come in that have bought a bit more experience.
“To see them work with other players that have been here for years and ones that have come through from juniors is also really great.”
Blake was unsure of what to expect coming into the season but a round five win against Edenhope-Apsley indicated to him the team was heading the right way.
“That’s a side that is always competitive and we have lot of respect for,” he said.
“When we came within five points of the Swifts in round eight and then beat Jeparit-Rainbow in round 13 more people started taking notice.”
While the club’s footballers have struggled to make finals the netballers have continued to be a shining light and will be well represented in finals again.
“The netballers have given us success and great stability for many years while our struggles in football were getting more attention,” Blake said.
“They are a big part of our club.”