NAMBUCCA Valley Lions AFL will play in the North Coast League’s reserve grade competition this year.

Last year they formed a joint venture with Northern Beaches Blues to form four teams which played in seniors, reserves, women’s and Under 18 boys’ competitions.

This year the Lions have entered a stand-alone team in reserve grade.

The team will follow the Macleay Valley Eagles senior side through the draw.

Each club will wear their own jerseys and train on their own grounds.

“The aim is for each club to form the foundation to become fully fledged senior clubs with each having teams in all four grades,” said the Lions’ Andy Johnston.

“Nambucca players who wish to play seniors will be able to declare themselves available for Macleay seniors and Macleay players will have some access to playing reserve grade with the Lions.

“This means that Nambucca Valley, a very strong junior club in the League, will be able to provide players with a pathway to playing seniors football, leading onto being involved in the League’s senior representative program.

“Both clubs see this as an exciting development and look forward to reestablishing themselves as forces in the senior North Coast League.”

The Lions are working towards combining with another club to enter an Under 18 team in the local competition.

Nambucca Valley seniors train at E J Biffin Playing Fields on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm.

All seniors and Under 18 players, new or old, are invited to train.

Under 16 players are also invited to train with the seniors.

AUSKICK, Under 10, 12 and 14 mixed teams and Under 16 boys team will train before the seniors from 4:30 to 5:30pm.

Their first training session was on Wednesday 26 February.

The girls’ teams, Under 13, 15 and 17, will train at E J Biffin on Thursdays from 6 March.

Female players are invited to also train on Wednesdays.