Loddon’s junior teams showing way to a sustainable club future, says Inglewood under 18 coach Leigh Lamprell pictured with one of the Blues’ youngsters now also playing seniors, Jaspa Wendels. LH PHOTO

his club. “And in our senior side, we’ve now got seven players who came up through our juniors,” Lamprell said.

Hicks said Mitiamo had been a big winner from formation of East Loddon Rams.

“They are giving kids the opportunity to play with their home club. We have to keep that.”

Coaches and administrators agree that what was the problem a year ago - doomsayers were predicting the demise of junior football across the Loddon - is fast emerging as the solution.

Lamprell said junior clubs went through cycles. “They can be on top and then lose 10 or 12 players when they get too old,” he said.

Continuing to put a team on the ground, says Lamprell, is part of