THE Peninsula Raiders superules football club has broken a 27-year drought this season, with the over 45’s team taking home premiership and bringing home the gold.
The club is based at Alexandra Park in Mornington and has about 110 players across four teams.
Club secretary Matt Thomas said the finals two weeks ago was a massive confidence boost for the members, bringing some players to tears and cementing the camaraderie within the club.
“Some of these guys have joined us after taking breaks from the game for up to 25 years, so it’s great to see them get out there and win,” he said.
“It might have been a long time for many, but it’s still white line fever and a lot of fun”.
Thomas said not all older players had been involved heavily in football in their younger years, but all got a buzz out of being back in the game.
He said superules football was becoming more and more popular because of the fitness and social opportunities.
“At the moment we have two over 35 teams, an over 45 and over 50, but there is a lot of interest from than that so next year we are bringing in an over 55s team,” he said.
“There really isn’t any reason why older men can’t play football, as long as they are reasonably fit, and there are many benefits to being involved.”
The Peninsula Raiders was established 1996 and this year celebrated its 27th season of superules football.
The Raiders are the AFL Masters representative team on the Mornington Peninsula.
Thomas says the club is centred around community, family, and men’s health.
In season 2023 Peninsula Raiders are looking at starting a women’s over 35 team and are currently asking for people interested to get in contact.
Anyone interested in joining or finding out more information can contact Matt Thomas at mthomas20@woolworths.com.au
First published in the Mornington News – 20 September 2022
