Raiders arrive

moonee-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/raiders-arrive/

THE northern suburbs will have a gridiron team, with the Northern Raiders being accepted into Gridiron Victoria competition.

The Raiders, to be based at Greensborough Secondary College, will be the only team in that league based in Melbourne’s north.

Fellow new member club the Gippsland Gladiators, to be based in Sale, and existing sides Ballarat Pioneers, Bay City Buccaneers, Berwick Miners, Croydon Rangers, Monash Warriors and the Western Crusaders will make up the competition.

Raiders president Dale Cole said there was already a lot of excitement building around the club. “We have got a list of about 50 players on our list so far,” Cole said.

“We know a few might drop off when they start getting hit, but the enthusiasm and interest is there.”

Cole said the Raiders’ playing list had a mixture of American expats and younger Australians looking to get involved with the sport.

Cole said experience levels also varied from experienced players who had played in GV competitions before with clubs that have since folded, to those who have never set foot on a field before.

The Raiders already have a full coaching roster and they have started training at the Greensborough Secondary College oval twice a week on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings.

The new club will sport a uniform boasting a skull with football stitching over the top of the head.

For further information people could email nraidersgc@hotmail.com or gridironvictoria.com.au.