The sun is shining, the birds are rivalling the numbers on the oval and the Animals have returned to the zoo. Bennettswood Reserve is alive and well as the newly-named Wattle Park Amateurs Football Club returned to the track, with the women’s team beginning their 2023 campaign on the 23rd of January and the men’s squad following a week later. 

With two new head coaches at the helm, it’s really no surprise that the club is flourishing. Strong numbers to both sides pre-Christmas meant a core group started to emerge to begin building good foundations for the season to come. 

“Our pre-Christmas training sessions were certainly an introduction to a new style of Animals footy,” men’s senior head coach Glenn Hopkins says, “and since returning to the training track with strong numbers and efforts, the learnings are progressing really.” The sentiment is the same from women’s head coach Mel Dell’Olio, who has “really enjoyed spending time with everyone on the team, and getting to know what they do, what their ambitions are and what motivates them.” The energy and enthusiasm around the club, especially after returning from the training break, has really impressed him. 

Despite the good numbers, recruitment has been high on the committee’s to do list, with large efforts directed at Deakin University as students both new and old make their way to the school’s grounds. The club had a presence on Deakin’s residential move-in day on the 11th, and a stall on the first day of Res O’Week on the 20th to begin its 2023 in-person recruitment endeavours.

“As we roll into the new year at Deakin Uni, our efforts to bring some first-year students down to the Animals is proving fruitful, with six hitting the track so far, and hopefully more to come in the next couple of weeks,” Hopkins says. “With any team, an influx of recruits is important toward changing the dynamic and personality of that group. Being youthful and new to our club, brings enthusiasm that can only benefit our group, and the speed with which they are welcomed clearly demonstrates our players are just as enthusiastic for their arrival.”

Two more appearances for the Animals at Deakin’s O’Week next week on Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th of February will ideally kickstart the numbers for the women’s side especially, with Dell’Olio of the belief that the team can “convince all the newcomers that there’s no better way to spend their time [at the Animals], amongst good people and enjoying getting fit and healthy in a good environment.” 

If the numbers from this week’s training alone are anything to go by, Wattle Park AFC is in for a mighty 2023. 

“What I’ve seen so far gives me real positivity and energy for the future of this footy club,” Hopkins believes, and the thought is echoed by Dell’Olio, “we have a fascinating bunch of individuals and I’m excited to see how everyone’s unique characteristics and talents can propel the team into reaching all our goals.”

Wattle Park AFC trains on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm at Bennettswood Reserve, located next to Deakin University.