THE newly formed Madora Bay Stringrays Football Club had one its best wins of the season on the weekend against the Warnbro Strikers helping the Stingrays seal a second place spot on the Football West ladder.
The junior league 14s south division 3 teams kicked off on Sunday with the Stingrays diving into the match scoring 5-0 by the final siren.
Club president Ron More said the team’s effort throughout the year had been phenomenal and couldn’t have been possible without the help of ex-Socceroo Archie Blue, vice-presidnet Trevor Freeman, Football West and other members of the community.
“It was a tough start for the club,” More said.
After months of meetings with Peel Regional Council and Peel Junior Soccer Association, it was obvious that they did not want us to be involved,” he said.
“We lost quite a number of young players because we could not guarantee them a game in any league.
“We then contacted Football West and I am happy to say we were accepted right at the last minute.
“It has been a hard slog creating something out of nothing.”
More said the Madora Bay club had faced quite a few hurdles but with the help of treasurer Annette Taylor and secretary Lisa Freeman, they had overcome them.
“Mandurah recreation officer Wendy Murphy has also been outstanding in her support to all our committee members and it is people like her who give us the belief that what we are doing is right,” he said.
More said the non-profit football club opens its doors to all players in any age group and any level of skill which the team is now proud of and puts the money it raised back to the players in the form of uniforms and equipment.
“We have a rotation system that ensures all players are given a chance to play, not left standing on the sidelines for almost all of the game and if they are lucky they may get on.
“We are a family club providing an opportunity for those who just love to play,”