Like a duck traversing a running pool, all will appear calm on the surface – despite a fever of action underneath as two Grafton clubs combine for season 2021.
Grafton City were unable to form a committee at their AGM – but a pleasing fix has been found thanks to their close relationship with United.
That will see City’s juniors play under the Grafton United umbrella – though few will notice any change from the arrangement.
United President Lynn Rudder explained while her club will look after the admin side of things for the City juniors – they’ll still turn out in their usual colours.
“A lot of parents will have already bought socks and shirts so there won’t be any change,” Lynn said.
There will also be only a tweak to the team names – with the juniors to be known for example as Grafton United – City Tsunamis.
City’s junior teams will complement United’s line-up, which fields sides from the Under 16s through to senior ranks.
“It’s all about ensuring that the young ones can still play,” Lynn said. “If City can get a committee together for 2022 then all of their children will go back for that season.”
With competition not due to start until 17 April, United are unsure how many juniors they will inherit for this year.
“I think there’s 30 or so players already registered but we probably won’t know until that last week. We expect to field teams in all age groups bar maybe the Under 13s,” Lynn said.
United and City have been working in lockstep to ensure the arrangement is as seamless as possible.
“They’re our feeder club and we have a great connection. Many of the parents in our club have kids who play for City,” Lynn said.
To that end, juniors will still register through the City portal, and United have maintained the fee levels.
“The way the world is you don’t want to make things any harder,” Lynn said.
