The long wait is over for A grade teams with round one of the 2011 season kicking off this Saturday.

Collegians’ return to A grade will start off with a bang, with the formidable challenge of opening their season against North Beach at Charles Riley Reserve.

This match pits premier against premier, with both teams holding flags from last season.

THE Dianella Morley Amateur Football Club and Manning Rippers Amateur Football Club will resume rivalries this Saturday 9^th April at Light St Reserve in Dianella with more on the line than just the four points.

The two Clubs have set up a “North of the River versus South of the River” rivalry for the “Community Cup”, and after a year apart in different grades, Dianella Morley President Chris Chadd says both teams are eagerly anticipating resuming the rivalry.

“Everyone involved with both Clubs were looking forward to the weekend and hoped that as many people as possible would come out and show their support for both clubs” said Chadd.

THE first round of the season got under way on the weekend with teams from B Grade and below battling it out at suburban grounds across Perth.

With 105 games played there were bound to be some shock results and it didn’t take long in the Drew Banfield Colts division with last years’ finalists, West Coast Cowan, going down to Wembley in windy conditions at Henderson Park.

The win set the tone for the day with the newly relegated Wembley beginning its push for an A Grade berth in style, defeating West Coast Cowan in both the B Reserves and B League matches.

WE would like to remind all clubs of the upcoming club umpire information sessions over the next fortnight. There will be sessions held on the 6^th and 13^th of April at Hamer Park in Mount Lawley for umpires north of the river and a session held on the 7^th of April at Collier Reserve in Como for umpires south of the river.

Tomorrow night’s session at Hamer Park will run from 6pm to 7pm with a sausage sizzle being provided afterwards by the Umpires Association.

The session this Thursday, the 7^th of April at Collier Reserve will be run in two blocks from 5:30pm to 6:00pm and then again from 6:00pm to 6:45pm for umpires who cannot make the first session.

Wandsworth Demons Football club in London is on the lookout for new players.

Recently appointed club President Mark McPartland said that anyone that may be heading to London this year and looking for a kick should get in touch.

"Even if it is only just for the short term, we are keen for players to come and join us for a few games," he said.

London has a strong competition in three grades including League, Conference and Social.

The 2011 WAAFL season kicks off this weekend with all grades except A set for Round 1 action.

In another restructuring of the divisions, last year’s C Gold and Black and the D-H format has given way to nine lower grades; C 1-4, D 1-2 and E 1-3.

Finishing ninth and 10th last year has sent Wembley and Stirling down to B Grade, while grand finalists Collegians and Maddington will play next week in A Grade.

Wembley’s time re-joining A Grade was brief; they moved up after making the 2009 B Grade grand final with Mt Lawley before winning just three games last year.

They will play another recent A Grade team in West Coast Cowan at Henderson Park to open their season.

This Saturday, April 2, the Swan Districts Football Club team from Wooroloo Prison Farm, play Wanneroo Football Club in round one of the Western Australian Amateur Football League season.

Steve Nowotny, General Manager of the Wooroloo Swan Districts FC team, said that having a team from the Wooroloo Prison Farm in the competition added a lot of depth to the competition and was also a great form of rehabilitation for inmates.

“For the players, who are all minimum security inmates, it is something they can focus on during their time in prison, and the game gives them all a great deal of direction”, said Nowotny.

The team receives its support from the Swan Districts ‘V Swans’ department.

This football season Grannys will supply a Pie warmer to your club to fill will delicious Grannys Sausage Rolls & Pies.

Grannys also offer a great range of Muffins and Cakes for your one stop shop this Football Season

Please Call our Office on 9209 4444 for a sample and information pack.

The Irish AFL www.arfli.com are seeking WA-based players to represent Ireland in the International Cup 2011 which is being held in Sydney and Melbourne later this year.  Players must be Irish citizens and were predominantly resident in Ireland between the ages of 10 and 16.

The concentration of Irish living in WA and the strong link between GAA and AFL provide an opportunity for WA based clubs to offer a unique opportunity to any current or new Irish players at your club.  This also allows you to promote the diversity and talent development of your club and league. Can you make any Irish players at your club aware of the details and contacts below where they can find out further information.

CHRIS Gerreyn has been appointed head coach of the West Coast Eagles State Amateur U/23’s for the next four years replacing Wayne Langbourne who has taken the role of Colts coach at the Perth Football Club.

Chris brings extensive experience to the role having played over 100 WAFL League games, being on the list of Hawthorn and Fremantle and having coaching experience in the WAFL, WAAFL and WA Country Football Leagues.