Forbes back in the fray

The Swampies and council workers who put up Parkes' posts at Gaggin Oval in February 2022

 

 

Forbes is on the cusp of bringing footy back for the first time since 1986.

The town of around 8,500 people five hours’ drive west of Sydney is pushing to enter the AFL Central West fold with an under-12s side. It plans to add under-10s and under-14s teams shortly after.

In an agreement with crosstown rival turned AFL ally, Parkes, the Forbes Swampies will gather all junior players in the region and then hand them over to the Parkes Panthers when they’re ready for seniors. Such collaboration between the towns is previously unheard of in the sporting landscape. (The Panthers do not currently have junior representation in AFL Central West.)

Forbes is confident of getting a team in the 2022 or 2023 season, having run successful Auskick programs from the town since 2018.

Seven Auskick Forbes alumni played with the Orange Tigers in 2021. These kids and their parents faced a one-hour drive each way to home games and far beyond that for matches in Bathurst and Dubbo. No doubt the players and their families will welcome a freshly minted Forbes team running onto the ground in 2022.

Sports equipment provider, PILA, is taking a build it and they will come approach with Forbes. The company donated a set of goalposts which were erected at Gaggin Oval in February 2022, much to the delight of football enthusiasts in the region.

Alex Milsom, President of the Forbes Swampies, was full of praise for his committee and what they have achieved in such a short time. “Opening the new posts was a big day for our community,” Milsom said. “We are a good team and have done well to accomplish what we have in Forbes. Where we are now is incredible.”

Casey White, AFL Central West’s Competition and Development Coordinator, said: “AFL Central West is thrilled with the growth of AFL in Forbes. The new goalposts will really help promote the club and the game in the community.

“AFL Central West would like to thank Forbes Shire Council for its support of the Swampies, PILA for the generous goalpost donation, and the many AFL NSW/ACT team members that have assisted this project.

“AFL in Forbes is in great hands with Alex Milsom and his committee, and we are excited to see the Swampies take the field in the upcoming seasons.”