Football South West Queensland are hosting a Gala Fun Day for South West League juniors this Saturday as a refreshed take on the traditional season launch.
With no junior fixtures scheduled in Toowoomba over the Anzac Day long weekend, players, parents and coaches are invited to Captain Cook Oval to join a fun-filled morning from 9.00am-12.00pm.
Highlights will include an inflatable pitch, jumping castle and football activities run by SWQ Thunder senior players and Technical Director Salvo Sottile.
Football South West Queensland President Nigel Fanning says the new celebration is born from club preference for a refreshed take on the concept.
“The very large voice from the majority was that it’s time to do something new and something different,” Fanning said.
“The whole process involves launching the season, recognising the life members and giving a ‘state of the nation’ address to the junior football family.
“It’s recognising the past but also listening to the football family and delivering something that’s a little bit different and a little bit new.”
While the possibility of the Gala Fun Day becoming an annual feature will be determined by club and member reception, Fanning hopes Saturday’s event will provide a strong platform for the region to progress from recent restructuring.
“We’ll analyse it, get the feedback and see if this is the right fit,” he said.
“It’s basically saying we’re going to give you something different. We’ve had a big review, we’ve got a new structure and we’re saying ‘here we are, let’s go’.
“This provides that formality that we need to say thanks for coming, let’s have a great season and hopefully this is the beginning of a long and refreshed journey.”