The Roosters – who have emerged from the well-established West Ivanhoe Sporting Club – ran out for the first time with the under-10s hosting Epping at Seddon Reserve.
Samantha Stynes – wife of late Melbourne great Jim – councillor Craig Langdon and NFL chief executive Jeremy Bourke were amongst the crowd of more than 300 who attended the Roosters’ inaugural match.
Mrs Stynes was provided the honour of cutting the ribbon on the players’ race prior to the youngsters running onto the field for the first time.
West Ivanhoe’s under-10s acquitted themselves well in their debut match against a more experienced Epping outfit, with the final scores 2.1 (13) to 8.3 (51) in the visitors’ favour.
Although beaten on the scoreboard, there was certainly a winning feeling in the rooms after the game.
The club intends to expand on the current single under-10s team over the next few years and will draw the majority of players from its Seddon Reserve Ivanhoe Auskick Centre.
For more on the West Ivanhoe Junior Football club, head to the club website 
www.westivanhoeroosters.sportingpulse.net.
