SOCCER
JACK Elliott’s return to Baxter and the second annual Billy Baldwin Memorial Day are upcoming highlights on the local scene.
Elliott has been a wanted man ever since walking away from the sport to concentrate on HYROX, a global fitness racing sport that combines eight kilometres of running with eight functional workout stations creating a consistent, indoor challenge testing strength, endurance and stamina.
He has qualified for the Pro singles and Pro doubles events at the world championships in Switzerland in June and will be part of an Australian contingent expected to number over 100 at the prestigious event.
Last week Baxter hired him as its Head of Performance manager and harbours ambitions to get him back out on the pitch in club colours.
“I won’t be playing at this stage but possibly after the world champs in June,” Elliott said.
He’ll run Tuesday night strength and conditioning sessions at Baxter as well as matchday activations and warm-ups and oversee extra training at a local gym.
No doubt diehard Baxter fans are keen to see Elliott pull on the boots again.
The world champs finish on 21 June so Elliott could be seen in a Baxter strip in the club’s round 13 away clash with King’s Domain.
Frankston Pines will host the Billy Baldwin Memorial Day on Saturday 24 January.
The son of Pines’ head coach Al Baldwin and wife Kim died on 20 June 2024 from brain and spinal cancer.
He was 21 years old and had played for Mornington and Mount Martha.
Pines announced last week that it would host the event and Kim Baldwin penned a moving obituary as part of the announcement.
“Billy endured 11 major spine and brain surgeries, 72 fractions of radiation therapy, six months of chemotherapy, three months of immunotherapy, four months of alternative therapy, one clinical trial and countless MRIs, blood tests and doctor appointments all while suffering unimaginable neuropathy (nerve pain) and other debilitating symptoms,” she wrote.
“This hideous, destructive disease progressed until our son was incapacitated.
“Words fail to describe watching your child slowly dying in front of you and you are powerless to do anything about it.
“Billy’s hope (when he was better) was to help other people in the same situation and raise as much money as he could for brain cancer.
“Unfortunately, he was never able to fulfil that dream.
“Billy’s love, strength and determination was unrelenting, and we try our best to draw from his strength.
“Please join us and help raise much needed funds for the Charlie Teo Foundation (https://charlieteofoundation.org.au).
“Without more brain cancer research there will continue to be no treatment options for our loved ones and survival rates will remain stagnant as they have for the last 50 years.”
The day features three matches between Pines and Mornington.
At 11am a legends match kicks-off with 25-minute halves.
A women’s match kicks-off at 12.15am with 30-minute halves and a senior men’s match starts at 1.45pm (45-minute halves).
Pines have mapped out their pre-season senior men’s program and will play Rosebud at Monterey Reserve on Saturday 7 February, 4pm and 6pm; Somerville Eagles at Monterey Reserve on Saturday 21 February, 4pm and 6pm; Lyndale Utd at Monterey Reserve on Saturday 7 March, 4pm and 6pm; and Ashburton Utd at Monterey Reserve on Saturday 14 March, 4pm and 6pm.
Langwarrin has three friendlies and the 2026 Wallace Cup to contest prior to the start of the VPL1 league season on Saturday 14 February when it hosts North Sunshine Eagles at 7pm at Lawton Park.
Last weekend Langwarrin downed Malvern City 1-0 with Brad Blumenthal scoring the winner.
This Saturday Langy takes on Oakleigh Cannons at Lawton Park at 11am seniors, 1pm under-23s and 3pm under-20s.
On Saturday 24 January Langy hosts Bayside Argonauts at Lawton Park at 11am.
Langy hosts the Wallace Cup on Saturday 31 January and on Saturday 7 February travels to Gardiner’s Creek Reserve to take on Eastern Lions (KO times announced closer to the date).
Here are some upcoming friendlies for other local clubs:
SKYE UTD
On Thursday 22 January v. Endeavour Utd, Reema Reserve, 7.30pm; Saturday 7 February v. Doncaster Rovers, Egan Lee Reserve, 3.30pm; Saturday 14 February v. Peninsula Strikers, Centenary Park, 1pm & 3pm; Saturday 28 February v. Lalor Utd, HR Uren Reserve, 3pm; Saturday 7 March v. Craigieburn, Venue TBC, 3pm.
PENINSULA STRIKERS
On Saturday 17 January v. Boroondara Eagles, Centenary Park, 7pm; Sunday 18 January v. Kingston City U23s, Centenary Park, 3pm; Saturday 31 January v Mazenod, Centenary Park, 3pm; Saturday 14 February, v. Skye Utd, Centenary Park, 1pm & 3pm; Saturday 21 February, v. Heatherton Utd, Centenary Park, 1pm & 3pm; Saturday 28 February, v. Ringwood City, Centenary Park, 1pm & 3pm.
CHELSEA
On Tuesday 3 February v. Noble Park Utd, Edithvale Recreation Reserve, 7.30pm; Thursday 12 February v. Doveton, Waratah Reserve, 7pm (seniors and reserves); Thursday 5 March v. Endeavour Utd (TBC); Thursday 12 March v Heatherton Utd (TBC).
SOMERVILLE EAGLES
On Saturday 7 February v. King’s Domain, Westernport Secondary College, 1pm and 3pm; Saturday 21 February v. Frankston Pines, Monterey Reserve, 4pm and 6pm; Saturday 7 March v. Mentone, Westernport Secondary College, 4pm and 6pm.
