Lake Boga welcomes new recruits
The Lake Boga recruiting committee have been kept busy over the summer months attracting new players to ensure Boga’s return as a powerhouse in season 2008 and beyond. After countless telephone conversations, late night meetings and free lunches at the Fed, the committee believe they have attracted the right mix of players to prompt significant improvement to their already improving list.

The LBFNC would like to welcome the following players to the club for season 2008:

• Nyaburu Kelly, Northern Knights TAC Under 18’s - Click here to view Narby's stats

• Brent Forsyth, Kerang, CMFL

• Xavier Kennedy, Katamatite Picola and District League

• Cliff Ryan, Birchip-Watchem, North Central Football League

• Ben Coloe, Birchip-Watchem, North Central Football League

• Ben Mathews, Ballarat Football League

• Jordan Bourke, Ultima F.C. Golden Rivers

Nyaburu ‘Narby’ Kelly played his junior footy with North Magpies Junior Football Club. He later headed off to Melbourne in with the aim of being drafted from TAC U18’s team Northern Nights, where he predominately played as a midfielder / forward. Kelly had a successful season, playing 17 games for the Knights in 2007, averaging 20 possessions and kicking 21 goals. Unfortunately for ‘Narby’ his dream of being drafted come unstuck when an ankle injury late in the season complicated his chances.

Former Kerang coach Brent Forsyth will provide a much needed boost to the senior team’s midfield, both in experience and ability. Bluey, a former CMFL best and fairest winner, has been busy working hard on his fitness and is evidently keen to impress in the black and white this season. Strong results in team time trials confirm this and the club is looking forward to his input as a leader and player.

Other notable recruits include Xavier Kennedy (pictured right) from the Katamatite F.C., who has been recruited as a forward / on-baller. Xavier won Katamatite’s leading goal kicker in 2000, and then in 2002 – 2004 before departing the club in 2005 to represent North Albury in the Ovens and Murray Football League. Other career highlights include VIC Country representation at under 15 level and Under 16 representation for the Murray Bushrangers.

Whilst history suggests that 2007 was not an overly successful season, there were many positive signs, particularly in the second half of the season, were many of the younger players showed sharp improvement. Dogged by a horrendous run of injury, the team will be also looking forward to the full recovery of several key senior players missing in 2007, including town favourite Kyle Braun, Martin Gray and Ben Pumpa (all recovering from leg injuries).

This welcome is also extended out to any other new players to the club not mentioned above, along with their respective partners.

Pre-Season commences for 2008
Approximately 40 people were in attendance for Lake Boga Football Club’s first training run on Monday 14th January to kick off pre-season 2008. With the inclusion of numerous new recruits and renewed enthusiasm, pre-season training this season will provide foundations for a successful 2008 season. After some light skill work and a 3km time trial, players and committee members enjoyed a BBQ and drinks.

Impressive results were achieved by Bluey Forsyth, Mick Dedini, Joey Murphy and Swampy. The two Lonergan brothers, Aaron and Jayden, have been clearly busy working on their cannons over summer in the gym, whilst Ox and Buddah must be appearing on the next ‘Biggest Looser’ series given the weight that has fallen off this pair! Players and supporters were also pleased to see Kyle Braun return to running after having 2007 and ½ of 2006 on the side lines with a bad leg break.
Whilst numbers were high for this time of the year, the club are still awaiting the arrival of their full list, which will no doubt dribble in over the coming weeks.

Players are advised that training will be now conducted on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at the Yana Street Recreation Reserve starting at 6pm. All current and new players are welcome.

Senior Coach Appointment
The Lake Boga Football Club is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Matt ‘Org’ Fleming as Senior Coach for 2008.

Matt first joined the club in 1995 as a young 21 year old from Sale, Gippsland Victoria, who went on to win the club’s senior best and fairest in 1999. Matthew departed the club to coach Murrabit Football Club in the Golden Rivers Football Club from 2002, where he won the League Best and Fairest. Unfortunately for Org, serious knee injuries prevented him from playing in 2 Murrabit premiership winning sides of 2004 and 2005.

Fleming was excited of the prospect to return back to Lake Boga to tackle the senior coaching position in 2007, after 4 years of absence, declaring that he “ believes in the young talent of the club” and that he “genuinely believes in the future of the club.”

President Ian Downes was pleased to make the announcement saying, ‘Matt's efforts as senior coach over the last year has been outstanding and we are very pleased to have him on board again".

Paul Gadsden appointed as Reserves Coach 2008
Gaddo is never too far from the ‘cut and thrust’ of the Boga coaching panel, however in 2008, he will be formally appointed as the Reserves coach. The former senior best and fairest winner and senior coach will be certain to bring loads of experience to the position and may even brush the dust off some old inspirational speeches. Rumour has it that ‘big ears’ may even be preparing for a comeback should his dodgy old back hold up? If nothing else, we’re sure to be in for lots of old stories after he gets a few frothies down.

Birchip Bulls return home
The Lake Boga Football Club are pleased to welcome home three of their premiership heroes of 2003 after 2-3 seasons of playing under Robbie Lee’s Birchip-Watchem Football Club in the North Central Football League. Cliff Ryan, Benjamin Coloe and Darren Colville will be valuable inclusions into the senior list and will most importantly provide great leadership to our young list.

Former premiership season Best and Fairest winner Cliff Ryan will provide a much needed target in the forward 50 to assist the evergreen Rick Pumpa. Known for his exciting brand of football, the ‘Big Red Dog’ will be sure to exhibit a fine display of pack marking and accurate kicking.

Cliff Ryan 2003 LBFC Best and Fairest

Darren Colville, the oldest of the prized recruits, has represented the Black and White on not less than 250 occasions. The former MMFL rookie of the year displays reliably exceptional skill and is only too keen to help out the younger players of the team. Darren will also provide a welcomed boost to the chip sales of the club, which has been dramatically down since his departure in 2005. Darren’s brother in-law, Ben Coloe is also a welcomed return to the club. Still cock-a-hoot after his 2007 mark of the year (see below), Ben has finally recovered from the sun burning he received from the high altitude of his huge leap. Welcome back Razzle, Benny & Cliff.

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