First stop Katanning’s Quartermaine Oval! WAFL trophy tour proves a big hit with parents and children alike

Katanning’s Quartermaine Oval was the first stop on the Sullivan Logistics WAFL trophy tour, displaying the competition’s men’s and women’s premiership cups on an evening which featured a junior football clinic and a colts game under the lights. The tour headed to several of WA’s football heartlands with Katanning, home of Upper Great Southern Football League’s Katanning Wanderers club, the first on the list on July 31. The town has been a strong breeding ground for elite players with Sandover medallists Haiden Schloithe and Alan Quartermaine, plus former Hawthorn forward Kade Stewart, among the biggest names to come out of the area. The Sullivan Logistics truck opened up into a stunning multi-level viewing deck and was a big hit with children and parents alike. There were giveaways, a free junior football clinic with around 40 youngsters taking part, a barbecue, photo opportunities with the trophies and the hotly contested colts game between the Tigers and Narrogin. Sullivan Logistics founder Tim Sullivan said it was exciting to bring the trophies to Katanning and then to Pinjarra and Albany. “Katanning, Pinjarra and Albany all have such rich football histories and have been the breeding grounds of some serious talent — both past and present,” he said. “It was great to see so many kids attend our first junior football clinic in Katanning and we’re looking forward to connecting with more regional footy communities. “As naming-rights partner of the WAFL and major partner of the WAFLW, we know the importance of regional communities in keeping the competitions thriving. “Some of the WAFL’s greatest players have come from the regions and we’re hoping to inspire the next generation of WAFL and WAFLW stars.” WA Football head of business development Oliver Condon said Katanning had provided a warm welcome. “It was a heartwarming start to our trophy tour in Katanning and we’re grateful for the club’s support in getting involved and welcoming us with open arms,” he said. “To see the smiles on the kids’ faces during the clinic makes it all worth it. “It makes my job really fun and enjoyable when we have partners that share our ambition to bring more activations to the regions and help continue to grow our great game.”