THE Sunbury Kangaroos are officially joining the EDFL’s senior ranks.
The announcement was made on Tuesday on the EDFL’s social media platforms following months of talks between league and club officials.
The Kangaroos joined EDFL Women’s ranks in 2018 and performed well, making a preliminary final after finishing third on the ladder in the home-and-away season.
Star midfielder Bailee Said also claimed the EDFL Women’s B&F Medal.
The move now ensures that all the club’s senior teams, including its Reserves and Under 19s, will play under the EDFL umbrella from 2019 onward.
“We’re over the moon and really looking forward to next year,” club president Allan Walters told essendondfl.com.au.
“Bringing our women over was a good experience and gave us that foot in the door, and we liked what we saw.”
The Kangaroos’ inclusion into the EDFL now means the league has two clubs playing their senior football in the Sunbury region, with East Sunbury making its senior EDFL debut in 2013.
League CEO Craig Armstead is pleased with the EDFL’s newest arrival.
“It’s a good reflection on us as a brand and an organisation that clubs want to come here,” Armstead said.
“Sunbury’s a place where we see more growth opportunity for the EDFL.
“We think it’s a natural part of our competition geographically.
“To have two of the four Sunbury clubs playing their senior footy is strategically important and we see Sunbury as a really important market that is growing significantly, so for us to have a big presence there is important for the competition.”
The club’s preferred option is to compete in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 for Season 2019.
The EDFL will confirm its finalised 2019 senior division structure in coming weeks.
