Hundreds of athletes to descend on Borden for return of popular football and netball carnival

The Borden X Cup will return with more than 250 competitors set to descend on the small country town this Saturday.

Ten football teams will take part in the AFLX while seven teams have registered for the FAST5 netball competition, looking to walk away with the big prize.

The winner of the AFLX competition will take home $2500 and the winner of FAST5 will pocket $1500.

Sides will take part in round-robin matches throughout the day, culminating in grand finals on Saturday afternoon.

AFLX is the AFL’s seven-a-side format consisting of two 10-minute halves played on a rectangular field.

Other unique rules include the 10-point super goal registered for goals kicked from outside the 40m line.

Railways and Royals from the Great Southern Football League will take part along with Jerramungup, Lake Grace-Pingrup and Gnowangerup from the Ongerup Football Association.

Warperup, Boyup Brook, Narrogin, Gibson and Ravensthorpe will also take to the football field. FAST5 is an intense, shortened form of netball with five players a side, rolling substitutes and multiple scoring zones.

Narrikup, Railways, Bullets, Boxwood Hill, Warperup, Jerramungup and Lake Grace-Pingrup will do battle on the netball court.

Warperup are combined sides for people from the Ongerup and Borden region.

Borden Pavilion co-ordinator Pip Moir said it was fantastic to see the popular cup return after COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of last year’s event.

“There’s huge enthusiasm from local clubs to be experiencing the shortened versions of both football and netball. It’s fast paced, exciting and most importantly a lot of fun for all involved,” she said.

“There’s even more excitement among the community to welcome everyone back to Borden after last year’s event was cancelled at the eleventh hour, we can’t wait to put our town on show.”

Gates will open at 10am with games to kick-off at 11am. Entry is free.

Canteen facilities will be available for lunch and dinner while the bar will be open from 2pm.