Cootamundra strikers, will not be participating in the football Wagga competition this year, President of the strikers James Philpot told the times “Football Wagga has a new Riverina league that’s been established, which we didn’t fit the criteria as far as our men’s teams go. To fill that criteria, you need the first grade men, second grade and an under eighteens team, of which we always struggle. We always rely on our youth pushing into our men’s teams to bolster those numbers but we have had good growth with numbers this year through a few guys moving the town for work.”
“The biggest challenge for us has always been ensuring we have the right number of players across all levels,” James explained.
“We’ve always relied on our youth players stepping up to bolster our men’s teams, and while that’s worked well in the past, it’s not always easy to balance. This year, though, we’ve had a bit of luck with a few new players moving to town for work, and that has helped boost our numbers.”
Despite not meeting the full criteria to compete in the Riverina League, the Strikers will still be participating in the third grade competition under Football Wagga, which includes about 13 teams. While it’s not the league they initially hoped to join, it still presents an opportunity for the club to grow and improve.
“The competition will be a bit different this year,” James said. “There’s a meeting this Wednesday night where we’ll get more details on how the teams will be organised, and we’re hoping for a fair structure where teams play each other once, and then the top teams are split from the lower teams to ensure more competitive matches.”
James and the Strikers’ leadership are not just focused on participation but on fostering a competitive environment where players of all skill levels feel challenged and motivated.
“We don’t want to see teams getting beaten every week, or worse, teams losing players because they’re not competitive,” he said. “It’s important that the competition remains fun and fair for everyone.”
A key part of that spirit is the hope to bring together the men’s and women’s teams for club days.
For James, the idea of having both the third grade men’s teams and the women’s team play on the same day is not only about building team spirit but also about strengthening the broader community connection.
“It’s great when you can have multiple teams at home on the same day,” he shared. “It creates a buzz around the club, and it’s something the players and supporters really enjoy.”
The women’s team, which has made impressive strides in recent years, also faces its own set of challenges. While last season the team won the second grade competition, this year they are struggling to attract enough new players. However, James remains optimistic.
“We’ve seen a lot of younger girls coming through, and while we’re still in the process of getting enough numbers for a solid squad, we’re hopeful that we can put together a competitive team,” he said.
As for the future, James is clear that the Strikers’ long term goal is to continue building on their youth development and eventually field an under 18s team. The club currently has an under 14s team, but they were unfortunately unable to field an under 16s team this season due to a lack of players. James explained that the club even reached out to nearby towns like Harden, Gundagai, and Temora to recruit players, but the effort didn’t yield the results they hoped for.
“Our ultimate goal is to grow the 14s and 16s programs, and eventually the 18s, and get back into that top-tier Riverina competition,” James said.
“That’s the dream, and I think we can get there if we keep pushing and developing the talent we have.”
One of the key elements of the Strikers’ approach is their commitment to not losing any players along the way. While they may not have the ideal number of players to fill every team right now, James is determined that no one gets left behind.
“We may not have a perfect system this year, but the players that don’t make it into the under 16s or the women’s teams are still part of the Strikers family,” he said.
“Some of the younger players from the under 16s are joining our third grade men’s teams this year, and while they might not be quite ready for the full intensity of senior football, they’re still playing, they’re still growing, and they’re still learning.”
In many ways, the Strikers’ situation is not unlike the journey of other clubs in the region. Like the Bulldogs, who have recently taken a step back from the Group Nine competition before making their return, the Strikers are hopeful that by focusing on building up their own talent and improving the competitiveness of their current competition, they’ll be able to move up the ranks and eventually return to the top tier of the Riverina League.
“We’re not in the Riverina League this year, but that doesn’t mean we’ve given up on that goal,” James said. “We’re going to continue growing, continue building, and one day, we’ll get back to the top where we belong. It’s about having faith in the club, the players, and the community.”
The Strikers’ 2025 season is shaping up to be one of determination, growth, and optimism. While there are challenges ahead, there is no doubt that the club’s passion for the game and its commitment to community will carry them through.
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