THE Mansfield Football and Netball senior and junior clubs have been coordinating with the Mansfield Shire Council to assist in AFL teams visiting and training in Mansfield during the summer season.

The recent AFL Community Camp with the Melbourne Demons Football Club demonstrated how the ground, community and Mansfield Junior and Senior football clubs can provide visiting teams with first class training facilities.

Newly elected club President, Bo Christopher was elated at the response from the community to the visit.

"The program with the Melbourne Demons was a watershed event for the town with the ground now having new goal posts thanks to contribution from the senior and junior football clubs and the Mansfield Shire,” he said.

“Bendigo Bank - Community Bank Mansfield & District, have also contributed with new goal post pads which provide first class facilities for visiting teams to Mansfield.”

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie thanked the Club for hosting the visit.

“We are grateful to the Mansfield Football and Netball Club for their leadership in this community event,” he said.

“It's been great for the Shire to be able to host the Melbourne Demons.

“We're especially pleased for the young people who have been inspired and engaged by the visit.”

On Monday evening Mansfield Junior Football Club hosted the Demons with a clinic in conjunction with the AFL Goulburn region for our Auskick and junior football teams.

Despite the steamy and wet summer weather in the AFL off season, over 160 kids and many parents and spectators, were able to enjoy watching the AFL players coach, play and engage with our Junior footballers and stars of the future.

There are also plans with the club sponsor, Buller Sports, to provide training facilities for teams at Mt Buller, the Rock Wire and Air Zone, to complement the Mansfield facilities.

With spectacular mountain running and walking trails at high altitude and a full range of accommodation all teams can make a path to success through our region in their summer training programs.

“Our senior men and women footballers along with the netball sides are holding their training camp at Mt Buller next month and will be followed by the possibility of other AFL and VFL side’s training camps,” Bo Christopher said.

“The program is still in its infancy but with the support of the Shire, Buller Sports and our sporting clubs we are delighted to build the program to benefit the town and the future of the club.

“We already have some of the highest participation in the North East and Goulburn regions and we look forward to working with our partners to optimise this opportunity and work to get more teams to visit in summer as well as part of our winter sports program.”