mmg.com.au

New Benalla Football Club president Bruce Biggs is excited about his new role and the announcement of a host of newly signed players, mostly from the Murray Bushrangers.

These new acquisitions include Sam Martyn, Nick Warnock, Jake Pallpratt and Harry Moran.

‘‘We have recruited extremely well,’’ Biggs said.

‘‘Another player we’re excited to have is Lachy Smith — who was a Collingwood rookie last year.’’

Another player newly announced is Alex Hay of Deniliquin, who played for Kilmore’s Assumption College last year.

‘‘As well as these signings; we are trying to get as many local players back as we can,’’ Biggs said.

‘‘We’ve been looking at a lot of clubs and they’ve been focusing on developing their local guys.

‘‘It’s always better to have guys who know each other and have loyalty to the club and town.

‘‘We are still very active in recruiting and are talking to good players from all around the state.’’

Biggs was formally announced as president at the recent annual general meeting and has a long association with the club.

His son plays for the Saints’ under-18s and his two daughters used to play netball at the club.

He was also president of the Benalla All Blacks for four years and was president of the Benalla and District Junior Football League for eight years.

Biggs was also crucial in signing former VFL star Luke Morgan as senior coach.

‘‘He’s been highly active in recruiting and has a really modern approach to the game,’’ Biggs said.

‘‘We are trying to create a safe and positive environment; we want to be a really family friendly club.

‘‘We want our players to be good citizens as well as good sportspeople.

‘‘We are trying to set up a family club with good values.’’

Biggs said Benalla’s participation at a junior level (under-10s) was good, with almost 240 players, but that number decreased dramatically once players got to around 16 years old.

‘‘Somewhere along the way; we’re losing a couple of hundred odd kids,’’ he said.

‘‘We want to encourage them to stay involved.’’

He said there was plenty of opportunities for football and netball players of all abilities at several clubs including Benalla All Blacks, Tatong, Swanpool and Goorambat.

The Saints are asking anyone with club-related memorabilia to contact Bruce Biggs on 0400519670, or Shayne McKean on 0438568287.