STAWELL - Stawell Devils enjoyed their first rugby league hit out against Geelong Raiders at White House Oval, Geelong earlier this month.
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Although Stawell lost 24-8, it was an encouraging first up performance by the new team.
Try scorers for the Devils were John Rameka and Tom Navickas.
President Colin Readman was pleased by his team's performance, saying they played 'with passion'.
"We played well for a new team (in our first game together)," Mr Readman said.
Devils have other games scheduled with Geelong throughout the year.
There was a match held at the weekend and then another against Geelong in Geelong to be played on July 7.
Stawell's first home game is at Calleys Oval in Ararat behind Ararat Senior College on July 21 against the Geelong Raiders.
The club is hoping to draw a huge crowd as entry is free and there will be a canteen and barbecue during and after the game and the Devils club raffle will be drawn on that day as well.
Devils will also be taking on Mildura both at home and in Mildura, but details and dates are yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the club has been busy fundraising with a barbecue out the front of IGA Stawell on June 16.
Mr Readman was pleased with the reception by the public.
"I would like to thank the Stawell community who came down and supported the Devils. It was a great day and we raised approximately $300 for the club which will be going towards our playing jerseys," he said.
The club will be having more fundraising days to enable the purchase of goal posts, training equipment and playing jerseys.
Stawell currently has 26 registered players from the Ararat Kings and Stawell Devils.
Ararat Kings were forced to fold for the year because the Western Division competition could not get off the ground.
The combined club is in talks with the Victorian Rugby League (VRL) to have a gala day sometime this year, with teams from Geelong, Mildura and Melbourne coming up for a day to participate in friendly matches.
Mr Readman expressed his thanks to all those community groups who have come to the aid of his club.
"The Ararat Senior College have supported us a lot by helping us secure a ground really quickly so we can get the club up and running. Since our home ground has been based at Calleys Oval, Ararat, we have been able to have lights on for training. (This) has enabled a lot of people from both Stawell and Ararat to get to training so we can all get to know each other and get used to playing together."
Mr Readman is hopeful the team can return to play at North Park, Stawell, the original site planned for home games and training.
"We are hoping to eventually be back in Stawell in a few months when we are fully operational and be based at North Park on a permanent basis. We are just needing to work through a few things with the council (Northern Grampians Shire) and the other sporting clubs that use North Park," Mr Readman said.
In more good news for the district's newest sporting team, Devils have also just secured a coach, Kup Warangi.
"He has been doing a great job getting the players together and improving our skills as a team and we are hoping to secure his interest in the club long term," Mr Readman said.
Stawell Devils also have merchandise available now with a wide range of items and clothing.
If anyone is interested in purchasing any merchandise, contact Colin Readman on 0448 061 853.
Also, anyone interested in playing for Stawell Devils or any business interested in sponsoring the club, please contact Mr Readman.
The club already has Stawell Sportspower, David O Jones Mitre 10 Stawell and Stawell Auto Pro on board.
These businesses have given the club items to raffle off and Rick Preston from Inkspired Tattoo Studio has also donated a $200 tattoo voucher.