Football
17 September, 2024
Laharum's amazing turnaround
In September 2023, Laharum voted down a merger with Taylors Lake. From that moment, Laharum members and supporters realised their club was in dire straits. With Hamish Roberts elected president, the club banded together under his leadership to survive.
In 2023, only the A-grade netballers and the 13-and-under made finals. In 2024, the 13-and-under netballers came runner-up to Kalkee, the under-17 footballers to Pimpinio, the reserves defeated Swifts, and the A-grade netballers defeated Rupanyup.
The 15-and-under netball made the preliminary finals, losing by three goals to Kalkee, and the C-reserve made the preliminary final, losing by 16 to Noradjuha Quantong.
The senior footballers lost to Pimpinio by 16 points in the elimination final, and the under-14s lost to eventual premiers Edenhope Apsley in the semi-finals.
Back in 2023, Roberts stated how the club banded together.
"After realising how bad a position the club was in and the uncertainty of a future, a lot of people started to realise they had to do something; we moved our AGM forward and got the wheels moving," Roberts said.
"It took a sinking ship to get people to help, and the support since then has been huge, and everyone is motivated to get the club to where we need it to be."
Fast forward 12 months, and not only have they won two premierships, but the club is getting stronger and moving forward together.
On Saturday, Roberts said he was proud of everyone at the club.
"I couldn't be prouder with everyone at the club," Roberts said.
"This time last year, we were at our knees and put out a call to arms, and it was answered.
"To have the seniors make the finals and the reserves and a-grade netballers to win it, we are a very happy club."
"This time last year, we identified our purpose, and it provided us some foundation with growth and moving forward."
"Laharum people stepped up to save the club. Not only to save it, but to also push it to thrive, and the premiership on Saturday was a reward for a hell of a lot of effort."
"The netballers, in particular, absolutely deserved it after being thereabouts for six years. Their time came, and I am so glad they got that reward."