Strong numbers for Twilight Soccer League in Warrnambool

Warrnambool Wolves senior men's co-coaches Josh Bateman and Corrie Shields have it up-and-running again at Harris Street Reserve on Wednesday nights.

Bateman said the competition, which has played two rounds, had already attracted 10 teams and 111 players.

Shields explained the competition has made a return after a hiatus.

"Twilight was a thing before, it hasn't run in maybe three years and people just missed it," he said.

"We had people asking us when is twilight going to start again."

READ MORE:

He said the issue had been getting people to run it so he and Bateman put up their hands.

"Lack of sport over the past 12 months is probably a big factor," Bateman said of its popularity.

He said the strong numbers had come as a surprise.

"We're overwhelmed a bit by the numbers and interest we've got because soccer's not really very popular in Warrnambool and surrounding areas," he said.

"So if we can make it more popular by adding a competitive competition than the more the merrier."

Shields said it was a good standard without heavy commitment.

"All people want to do is come down and have a game, play with their mates and go home," he said.

"There's no having to show up to training and commit fully.

"It's seven a side but you have 10 players - the commitment level is there but you've got other players (as back up)."

There are two kick-off times 6.30pm and 7.45pm with more players welcome to join the fun.

"The more the merrier, come down and we'll sort you out with registration and put you into a team somewhere," Bateman said.

The organisers have been keen to make the competition as diverse as possible.

"One of the first posts we ever put on the Facebook page was it's for mixed gender, mixed ability and anybody 15 and over," Bateman said.

"So we have quite a few masters players and a couple of 15 year olds."

The competition will run for 20 weeks with team's vying for the league championship.

There will also be a finals series for the top teams at the end of the fixture.

Bateman said he and Shields were grateful to Warrnambool Wolves for supporting the league's return.

"They've been great in facilitating this for us and allowing us to put it on and use their facilities," he said.

"The whole club has been really behind us.

"And every club represented here has been fully supportive of what we have done."

There are teams from Warrnambool Rangers, Corangamite Lions and Port Fairy.

"It will be really good pre-season for them coming into their very first senior league competition," Bateman said of the Port Fairy team.

Warrnambool Wolves women's program started at Harris Street on Monday night with new players welcome.

There's a Wolves' Miniroos come-and-try day on February 21 at Harris Street.