The Corowa-Rutherglen Football Netball Club (CRFNC) and the Murray Felines Female Football Club have agreed to join forces under the Corowa-Rutherglen name to bring a new format to the Roos’ setup.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome in a new brand of community engagement with the addition of female football to CRFNC,” CRFNC Vice President Rowena Black told The Free Press.
“It’s been a long-term strategic ideation of ours to grow the game in our region, and to have a proud and innovative group like the Murray Felines share that vision, it’s a match made in heaven in our eyes.”
With the inclusion, John Foord Oval will now be home to open age and three junior grades of female football as part of the North East & Border Female Football League.
"We are just so excited," said Nadine Nicholson, committee member of Murray Felines.
"Our committee had a big focus to unify the group and secure a sustainable future, and we believe this collaboration enables that,” Nadine said.
“There's been a strong shift in our league with six of the seven teams now with an Ovens & Murray alignment, and it's been something on our radar for a while.
"We've just been so pleased to bring this opportunity together, as our cultures and values of both clubs are so aligned already. The inclusion of our underage and senior football in the girls game completes the club."
With CRFNC returning to the Ovens & Murray in a full capacity in 2024, the club is excited to continue its resurgence and sees the addition of three new teams as a pivotal part of its long-term plan.
“The boards of both entities have similar beliefs and similar passion to see community sport grow at this level,” said Roos board member Brendan Eyers.
“We have a passionate group of people who are aligned in our commitment to provide an inclusive environment on and off the field.
“We’ve seen similar club developments across the AFLNEB, the O&M and AFL levels, and we are excited about the opportunity to bring this together for a sustainable future at Corowa-Rutherglen.”
The open age women, and three junior girls grades will wear the Roos’ blue and white stripes and play under the CRFNC name.
“We intend to celebrate and include the Murray Felines history, as they were the trailblazers of female football in our area,” said Rowena Black.
“To come together under the Roos’ name and colours is an exciting prospect for all of us, and similar to our proud history of the Corowa Spiders and Rutherglen Redlegs, we look forward to continuing to celebrate the Felines as work toward a common goal as one club.”
Nicholson echoed the excitement of the new name and colours, saying "everyone is pretty pumped".
"We have a proud history, and our connection with Rutherglen, Wahgunyah and Corowa communities doesn't change.
“We are thankful of all the support we've received by Rutherglen, and we are just so excited for what the future holds in Corowa."
The clubs will now complete the merging process over the coming months, ahead of the Roos' next Annual General Meeting in late November.
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