New players are being called on to fill four men’s sides and two women’s sides.

Organisers of the Appila Backyard Football Carnival are enthusiastically campaigning locals and people in the regions surrounding Appila to put their names on one of the lists in local hotels or to ring Neil George on 8663 5031.

“Backyard football targets those people who may have never played Saturday football or played as a junior and not continued with the sport,” Neil says.

“It’s a competition that is about fun and community.”

Rules of Backyard are that players must be between 17 to 39 years of age (some exceptions based on fitness might be allowed), must never have played in an A Grade premiership or a B Grade Premiership, and cannot have played regular country footy in the last three years.

A wildcard can be made by contacting Stanley McInerney 0439 829 627 pleading your case.

The Appila Backyard Football Carnival will kick off with an under 13 match, followed by the women’s competition.

The two men’s matches will be played in the afternoon, followed by a bonfire and entertainment by band Free Spirit as well, no doubt as debriefing from the day’s matches.

Admission at the gate is a gold coin donation and Appila Tennis Club will provide catering on the day. Matches will be compered, adding to the entertainment.

Lunch time entertainment will include running of the Appila Gift, a 110 yard foot race (one of the prime athletic events in SA which ran for over 80 years).

More than 200 Backyard Footballers have taken to the field since the inception of the competition in 2007 allowing people who have missed out on football over the years to come and play competitive footy but in a fun environment.

Two Backyard Football carnivals have been held at Jamestown and one at Booborowie.

So far Backyard Footy has attracted to three game days an aggregate crowd of 3000 people, such is the support from players family and friends.

“Given a fine day organisers hope Appila Backyard Footy Day will attract a crowd from the northern rural region of 1000 people,” Neil says.

“It is the first time a game of footy has been played at Appila in 38 years - it promises to be a great day out.”

Backyard organisers are more than keen to look at places like Murray Town for next year’s carnival for the Flinders Ranges Challenge. One of the players for the Appila Backyard Football Day - George Jeffrey - will be representing the state in Melbourne on July 5 for the SA-Vic state Backyard Football game.