Ballarat Gridiron’s Alex Spittle can’t wait to step foot onto Morshead Park Saturday night for the Falcons first home game this season.
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The team will play just one other match in Ballarat for the remainder of the 2016 season, making Saturday night a big occasion for the club.
Spittle said it was a fantastic opportunity to expose gridiron to the Ballarat community and the team would be putting on an entertaining spectacle in what is set to be a tough clash with Northern Raiders.
“It’s an amazing facility … people are aware of this spot,” Spittle said.
“I know a lot of people who enjoy the sport but can’t always make it out to games … it’s good for them to come in and watch us at home.”
After opening the season with a one-point win over Gippsland Gladiators the Falcons had the bye last week and are raring to go this weekend.
Ballarat is currently in the second of two seven-team divisions.
Spittle said the dream was to work their way into the division one championship.
Having joined the competition in 2013, the Falcons centre felt the side would make positives strides towards that ambition in 2016 off the back of a revamped preseason and some quality recruits.
“The dream is to get into division one.
“We should do really well looking at some of the players we’ve got.
“It’s great to get the win first up. I’ve played in previous years where we’ve had a loss (to start the season) then it just rolls on.
“We’ve used that (bye) as an opportunity to fix some things and come out in the next game and hopefully have a win.
“The guys know that if they push hard, they get it done.
“Hopefully we can get into the championship.”
In a sport that is still largely foreign to Australia, Spittle endorsed the American game he loves.
Saying gridiron offers aspects that other sports can’t.
As Ballarat Falcons continue to try and tap into the competitive market, Spittle said gridiron is a game anyone can take up.
“It’s a sport for all sizes, all shapes.
“There’s also different skill levels. If you can run and catch a ball, there’s a position for you.
“If you can’t there’s also a position for you as well. If you’re not an athletic guy but you’ve got a bit of strength behind you … there’s a spot for you.
“You don’t see many big boys playing soccer.”
Spittle was hopeful of getting a strong turnout to the round three clash.
The Falcons v Raiders game will kick off at 6.30pm at Morshead Park.