Lions take recruits during survival bid

Leda Lions Football Club is on a mission to boost player numbers and sponsorship ahead of the footy season to drown out fears the club could become unviable.

Club chief executive Paul Lawson said he was calling on the community to lend a helping hand to rebuild the group to its original strength.

Mr Lawson said internal problems within the club’s committee about six years ago had a negative impact and it had since struggled to build numbers.

Before the club’s decline started, Mr Lawson said the club boasted up to 200 players.

“Now the club only has 25 youth players and 30 Auskickers,” he said.

“We only have two more years with our under 15s side and then they will be in the colts system, so very soon we will only have a Saturday competition.”

But despite fears, Mr Lawson said there was still a lot of positive energy about the club.

“This year is the first time (in a long time) we have fielded a pups side which is sevens to eights which means next year we will have an under-nines team,” he said.

South Fremantle District Football Development Council district manager Bradd Gardiner said it was unfortunate internal difficulties had affected the club but it was now time to focus on the future.

“From a district point of view the main concern is Leda is not pulling enough kids and families from the community of Wellard,” he said.

“A five-year plan for us would be to build from the bottom up — we want to attract more people.

“Realistically, with the population in the area, we should be able to build the Auskick centre up to 80 and then the club will get a really strong flow-through.”

Mr Gardiner said the club needed to focus on strengthening its committee and club values to help attract more families.

Newpresident Dan Farrington said he was confident the club would come around.

“I want to see exactly what these guys are working towards, building the club to what it used to be, to that good stature of what Leda is all about,” he said.

“We need to formulate a plan to get things together and gain community support to fill the teams.”

To help the club rebuild contact the president on 0431 469 231.