Cats commit to senior comeback

Phil Clohesy chaired the Lara Future Planning Group which developed the club's return-to-play plan. Photo: James Taylor.

Lara Sporting Club has announced it will return to senior and reserves football and A-grade netball in 2027, after a year in recess.

The Cats withdrew their senior football and A-grade netball sides from the Geelong Football Netball League on the eve of the 2026 season.

The club formally notified AFL Barwon of its intention to compete next season last week and will continue working with the league as preparations progress.

The return follows months of work by the club’s Working Group and Executive Sub-Committee, formed to oversee Lara’s return and future operations.

The Future Planning Group’s recommendations included go/no-go criteria designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the club before committing to a senior return.

That criteria included securing 45 male football players, 10 A-grade netballers and coaches for those sides before 1 October.

Executive sub-committee president Bernie Walker said the committee believed the criteria had now been met.

“We believe the criteria set by the Future Planning Group have been met, the foundations are in place, and our coaching discussions are in their final stages,” Walker said.

“We are taking the time to get those appointments right, and we look forward to announcing them soon.”

AFL Barwon confirmed the club had been in communication with the league about its return.

Walker said the club’s comeback had been made possible by the support of its community during its year away from senior competition.

Despite stepping away from senior football and A-grade netball, Lara enjoyed success in 2026, with its senior women’s football and under-19 netball sides winning premierships.

Both teams spoke after their grand finals about their hopes for the continued growth of the club.