Footballers’ worst loss

By Lia Bichel
ROUND one in footy hasn’t begun, but Cranbourne Junior Football Club has already suffered a major loss.
About 60 jumpers used by the under-9s, 10s and 11s footy players were stolen last week, president Alan Courtney said.
Police said between 8pm on 24 March and 7pm on 25 March, thieves stole jumpers which are blue with a yellow V, and sponsored by Franken Homes.
Mr Courtney said this was not the first time thieves had targeted the club, which plays at J&P Cam Reserve.
“In any given 12 months, we used to have about 8 break-ins. There were thefts, graffiti, and arson. It has been an ongoing problem,” he said.
“So in conjunction with council, we beefed up security. We implemented a policy that no money or alcohol be left on the premises, and co-ordinated a global security alarm system. We also put in roller shutters and jemmy-proof doors.”
Since making the changes, the number of break-ins decreased, but Mr Courtney believed thieves stole the jumpers because they could not access money or alcohol.
“Because we are at the start of our footy season, we have been preparing jumpers and brought them out of the locked areas,” he said. “I would suggest that the thieves couldn’t get into the offices; so instead, they decided to grab the bags of jumpers that were sitting out.”
The three bags of jumpers also contained first aid kits, whistles, and other footy equipment which Mr Courtney valued at about $3500.
“It affected the whole football department. We have practice games going on and have to shuffle around what jumpers we have left,” he said. “It makes the whole logistics of running a footy club difficult.”
Round one of the footy season begins the last week in April, but Mr Courtney said he is confident the club will continue with the regular schedule.
Mr Courtney said he hoped the jumpers were found and thieves would stop targeting the footy club.
“They can’t get alcohol or money, the jumpers are useless, old footballs are useless,” he said. “We are volunteers trying to provide sport to youth in Cranbourne. They need to stop targeting the club and let us do our job.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Gordon Hynd at Narre Waren Police Station on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.