PREPARATIONS are well underway for the Portland Soccer Club’s 2022 season ahead of round one on May 1.

After joining the South West Victoria Football League for 2021 the club is hoping for a full season of competition this year.

Their efforts last year positioned them as one of the top contenders in the senior and junior competitions before COVID disruptions forced a stop to the season.

Unfinished business and some new recruits is setting up the Panthers for a strong season, along with the retention of some of their key players.

The club has already held two practice matches against Warrnambool sides and will look for some more match ups ahead of round one.

The senior men will once again be led by Jake Davies who showed plenty of promise leading his side in 2022.

“Jake’s taking on the senior coaching role again which is exciting after last year,” club president David Stafford said.

“Things are shaping up despite players being slow to return to training.

“We have about four or five new players, who are new to town, and they’ll add some depth this season.”

Stafford said the club is hoping to lock in last year’s star player Dylan Murray while returning players Beau Stafford and Sharn Robinson will add plenty of running power.

“Beau Stafford and Sharn were good last season and they have lots of promise; we also have Jamie West returning after a stint in the Wimmera league and he provides a lot in a key central position.

“We also have some promising young players in Ashton Watt, Azar Meaola and Bodie Steel is also coming along.

“We’re a young squad but I think this year a lot of it will come down to availability and how we can weather the COVID stuff with isolation and everything – we have our start date though on May 1 and we’re full of optimism.”

The SWVFA is a relatively new league and will be boosted this season with the addition of a reserves and senior women’s competition.

“So far five clubs have entered a reserves team this season and we’re also hoping to get the women’s competition up and running and playing on a Saturday as well – hopefully get everything fixtured on the same day,” Stafford said.

“As a club we’re trying to establish a women’s team but still need a few more numbers so we’d love to see any women 14-years-old and up who are interested in having a run.”

SWVFA contest Limestone Coast in Portland

The South West Victoria Football Association representative try outs took place in Portland recently in the form of a practice match.

The SWVFA took on Portland’s former league, the Limestone Coast Football Association, in a series of junior games including under-18, under-16 and under-14 match ups.

It was some quality competition held at Portland’s home ground with some locals competing and trying out for the representative squad.

“It was great to have some exciting junior talent on display in Portland,” Stafford said.

“We’re the halfway point for both leagues because Limestone Coast is mainly based in Mount Gambier so we were happy to host it here.

“It’s great to have those games accessible to our players and they were fairly close match ups.

“We’ve said we’re happy to host more down the track so we’re expecting to have another set of games before the season starts.”