CELEBRATING COMMUNITY CROPS: Kojonup Cougars Football Club live long and pawsper thanks to local farmers

The power of comradery shines on and off the football field in Kojonup, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised by the local community crop set to benefit players for years to come. Now in its fifth year, Kojonup Community Crop has a firm focus on funding projects for junior and senior members of the historic club that competes in the Lower South West Football League. It was the first crop the local club had dabbled in seriously when it was launched five years ago, planting 33ha across a paddock leased from the Shire of Kojonup at market rate. Three years ago, the club took on 70ha in a share-farming arrangement with local farmer Ian Palmer and has since had two of its best crops on record thanks to great seasons and great agronomy. This year, a big portion of the funds from last year’s bumper harvest will help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Kojonup Cougars Football Club, which kicked off pre-season training last week. Kojonup Cougars president Ken Stan-Bishop, who joked he was “by default” the Kojonup Community Crop, said the funds were predominantly used to improve facilities at the club. And two senior teams, two junior teams and 35 players, he believes it is money well spent. “The funds will help us make sure the 100th celebrations are something really good for the community,” he said. “It is not cheap to run a football club… so the crop helps a lot. “A big part of it is making sure we have a better life for our young blokes that come and play footy.” Crop contributions have funded new jumpers, new fridges and freezers, and — very importantly — new fryers to make sure players and the public have the best chips possible. “We have a good facility, but are responsible for what happens in that facility,” Mr Stan-Bishop said. “It takes quite a lot of money to run a footy club... but it is so important to have one that is strong.” While planting, caring for and harvesting the crop is hard work, not one person in the community would say it the effort is not worth it. Canola yields across the share farm averaged 3t/ha and the leased block averaged 1.8t/ha. “You have to get people to commit... and it is the same amazing people that come each year,” Mr Stan-Bishop said. “It is hard to get people together and you really have to start early, because people are flat out. For people to give their time, it is so appreciated. “About 20 people make it happen each year.” Plans for the centenary celebrations are still being finalised, but are expected to include a mid-season home game soiree with “generations of footballers” invited to attend. Backing the football club’s efforts is a group of what Mr Stan-Bishop called the “veterans of the club” – also nicknamed the godfathers group – who help out with volunteering and financial needs. Every second year the club hosts the much-anticipated Cougars Ball – this year’s is scheduled for March 25 – which kicks off with a scratch match before a black-tie ball afterwards. Players from Mt Barker and Gnowangerup will participate in the scratch match and attend the ball, which is also co-funded by the Kojonup Community Crop. “It is a good social get together for you know blokes our age all across the region,” Mr Stan-Bishop said. “It’s been a bloody great success the last two years... we attract more than 250 people. “This year, we’re hoping to go a bit bigger and get some new teams.” Mr Stan-Bishop said the “young kids” – both junior and senior players – were all keen to help and make sure the club continued and was competitive. “It’s all about momentum to keep everyone together... and to keep kids engaged,” he said. “I believe we are a fantastic club, with a fantastic group of young people and a great culture.”