Essendon District Football League will have two new clubs for the 2024 season.
The Merrifield Panthers and Dallas football clubs will enter junior teams into EDFL competitions for the upcoming season.
Already an existing and flourishing sporting association, Merrifield Panthers will launch their football club after five successful seasons with their Auskick program.
The club will play out of Merrifield Recreation Reserve in Mickleham and intend to enter under-8, under-10, under-12, and under-14 sides this year.
“It’s exciting to have Merrifield enter the competition in what is a big growth area within the league,” EDFL chief executive Andrew Johnston said.
“Merrifield’s Auskick program has gone from strength to strength and has resulted in a necessity for junior football in the area.
“We look forward to working with Merrifield to continue building their football club to complement the rapid population growth in the area in line with the league’s strategic plan.”
The Dallas Football Club intends on fielding an under-8 and under-10 side in 2024, operating out of Jacana Reserve to assist with rebuilding a football presence at the venue.
“The league is thrilled to welcome Dallas FC into the competition,” Johnston said.
“It’s unfortunate that Jacana FC won’t be fielding sides in 2024, but we’re excited to see junior football return to Jacana Reserve which is a particular focus area for the EDFL.
“The Dallas FC evolved out of the Hume Crescent Auskick Centre which saw great success in its first year at Jacana Reserve and we’re excited to work with the club to increase that participation and help establish a seamless pathway into junior football in the EDFL.”
Forty participants registered for the Auskick centre in 2023, with nearly half having a parent born overseas.
New club president and Auskick coordinator Nabil Yassine was able to capitalise on his connection as a teacher at Ilim College to ensure the centre reflected the changing demographic of people living in the area.
