NORTH Central sport will be strengthened by the merger of Nullawil and Wycheproof Narraport, football league president Mick McClelland said at the league’s season launch on Sunday.
Representatives of the league’s eight clubs were in Charlton in preparation for the return of football, netball and hockey next week.
McClelland said the league was again well supported by sponsors.
He said the off-season merger of two clubs to form Calder United would only strengthen North Central football and make the league more sustainable.
Hockey association president Janelle Barbary said the return of men’s hockey sides at two clubs, including Wedderburn, was a boost for the association in what would be its 60th year.
And in an initiative to boost participation of young people in official role in the netball association, president Kim Fitzpatrick said umpires aged under 18 would wear a green band.
Fitzpatrick said the move would be a way to encourage players, officials and supporters to encourage young umpires.
Both Wedderburn and Boort have away fixtures in the opening round on April 5.