08/08/2026
As we have recently celebrated our 2026 season, I reflect on what has been a very different but incredibly rewarding year for our East Ulverstone Junior Crows Under 12 and Under 14 players.
Low numbers meant we were unable to field our own teams this season. While that was disappointing, we were fortunate to join forces with East Devonport, who were also experiencing challenges with player numbers. Most importantly, this allowed all of our children to continue playing football and enjoying the game they love.
A merger like this is a huge change for everyone. New teammates, new families, new coaches and a different environment can take some getting used to. But I could not be prouder of the way our Junior Crows embraced the opportunity and represented our club throughout the season.
Our players adapted, made new friends, supported each other and continued to grow not only as footballers, but as young people.
For our committee and families, this season was also a valuable experience. It gave us the opportunity to meet new people, learn from each other, share ideas and build relationships that perhaps would never have happened otherwise.
A huge thank you to the East Devonport committee, players and families for welcoming our Junior Crows so warmly. I am incredibly proud of how we worked together to achieve a positive outcome for our players and ensure they were able to continue playing football.
This was particularly evident in the Under 14s, where players from both clubs came together to form one team. Bringing two groups of young players together and creating a united team is not always easy, but the way everyone embraced each other and worked together was fantastic to see.
We were also extremely proud to host two home games at East Ulverstone, where both our Under 12 and Under 14 players had the opportunity to wear the Junior Crows guernsey. It was a really special moment for our juniors and for our club, allowing them to run out on our home ground in the Crows jumper despite the challenges we faced this season.
A huge thank you to East Devonport for working with us to make these home games possible, and to all of our junior players for proudly donning the Crows guernsey and representing our club.
On a personal note, I have met some wonderful people throughout this season and had some really rewarding conversations and experiences along the way. Being involved in junior football is about so much more than what happens on the field, and I am grateful for the people I have met and the relationships I have built throughout the year.
Also, thank you to Shep and Jack for facilitating our One Club training sessions. They are always a valuable and fun experience for the kids, and the big kids too!
A huge thank you to our sponsors. Your continued support is vital in providing opportunities for our juniors and helping us create a positive environment for them to play, develop and enjoy their football. We genuinely appreciate your contribution to our club and our young players.
And a special thank you to Heath, Ben and Roy — three incredible role models who give so much of their time and energy to our Junior Crows.
A special thank you in the Under 14 space to Jackson, Rod, Brett and the parents for making the trip across to East Ulverstone every fortnight for training. Your commitment and support throughout the season has been greatly appreciated.
Thank you to Chris, (East Devonport under 12 coach), and Michael (Match Manager) for their commitment to the Under 12s throughout the season.
I also want to say a very special thank you to our East Ulverstone families. I am incredibly grateful for your support, patience and understanding throughout what has been a very different season. I am particularly grateful that, together, we have kept our Junior Crows united and given our players the opportunity to continue playing football.
Your support has allowed us to keep our Junior Crows together this season, which has been so important in ensuring we can make our return in 2027.
This season may not have looked the way we originally imagined, but it certainly wasn't a season lost.
It has been a season of learning, growth and new friendships.
Most importantly, our kids kept playing football, kept enjoying themselves, kept growing and kept being Junior Crows.
That is something we can all be incredibly proud of.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in making 2026 a positive experience for our kids.
Bring on 2027.
Go Junior Crows!
EUFC Junior Coordinator,
Meaghan
