THE sun might still be shining (occasionally) and the grounds aren’t damp (yet) but footy season is just around the corner.

And to that end Portland Tigers Junior Football Club is holding a ‘come and try’ day on Thursday at Alexandra Park.

The club – a combination of the North, West and South Portland teams from the old Portland junior football league competition – will this season for the first time field a team in each of the three Great South West Junior Football League grades.

It has taken three years of the club’s existence – the first two wrecked by the coronavirus pandemic – to do so, but it will finally field a side in the under-17 competition.

The team’s coaching will be done jointly by Joey Saunders and Lachie Warburton.

Saunders has a wealth of football playing experience, mainly with Heywood but also in Sydney and Western Australia, and said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“I just want to give back to the community and just share a bit of my footy experience with the young ones,” he said.

“It’s also just having a go at something different as well because I’m at the end of my footy (playing) career and wanted to get into coaching with the younger guys.”

Warburton, 19, has been a force on the local sporting scene for many years, in both football and cricket.

It will also be his first coaching role, and the side will include his younger brother Tighe, winner of the club’s best-and-fairest at under-14 level last year.

“It’s like Joey said, about giving back to the community,” he said.

“We’re hoping to show the kids a few skills as well.

“Probably being a younger face for the guys too will be something different for them.”

Jason Saunders will coach the under-11 side this season, after helping out Ben Nash last year.

Saunders said his job was to “just make it enjoyable”.

“That worked well with Ben last year and our numbers were really good, and we’re hoping to maintain that and building the club up.

“At this age it’s about enjoyment and continuing on to play more footy in the future.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming kids from Auskick and others who might not have played yet.”

The club is still looking for a coach for its under-14 side.

The come and try day is open to anyone who wants to give footy a go – they do not have to be exiting players at the club – and will run from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on Thursday.

For more information on the event, joining the club or coaching, contact president Chalpat Sonti on 0413 779 442.