Mudcrabs organise masters carnival

An inaugural Pilbara football carnival for players over 35 is being planned for Karratha in July and organisers are calling for support to make it a success.

Local masters football side the Karratha Mudcrabs is organising the first North West 9s AFL Masters carnival, to be held at the Karratha Leisureplex Oval on July 14 and 15.

The nine-a-side competition will involve games played in two 10-minute halves on a soccer-sized field with normal contact rules, but has reduced teams to nine a side to make it easier for distant teams to be involved.

Carnival director Justin Fromm said the carnival was designed as an opportunity for over-35s in the Pilbara to “wind back the clock” and play football in a competitive but enjoyable environment.

He said the event committee was excited about the carnival and he hoped it would become a regular fixture on the Pilbara masters football calendar.

“Masters football is a fantastic contributor to men’s health and gives (them) the opportunity to keep running around when commitments catch up or the body slows down a bit,” Fromm said.

“We’ve got an enthusiastic committee pulling the event together.” Fromm said there would be fun on and off the field, with commentary going on “for a laugh” and a bouncy castle to entertain children.

The Karratha Mudcrabs are currently calling for interest from sponsors, potential teams from across the Pilbara and umpires.

Teams would play four to six games each across Friday and Saturday nights.

For more information or to find out how to contribute, go to karrathamudcrabs.wixsite.com/nw9s or email karrathamudcrabs@outlook.com.

Karratha Mudcrabs train on Tuesday nights all year at the Leisureplex, arriving at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.