The Kalamunda Cougars have recommenced pre-season training in preparation for a successful season in the Perth Football League ‘B’ grade competition in 2026.
Training is currently being held at Mills Park in Beckenham on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6.30PM. For further details please contact Adam Pottinger 0420 309 189
Attendance has been outstanding with players from all senior men’s and the ladies side attending. The coaching staff have been concentrating on basic skills and teamwork in the quest to have all sides fit in the lead-up to the start of the season.
The club has been fortunate in retaining its senior coaches from last season with new coach Steve Chesshire taking on the Ladies team (not pictured).
Retirements of senior players from last season has prompted league coach Bolton to keenly scrutinize new recruits and last season’s reserves and colts, to step-up and play ‘B’ grade football this season.
He is looking for team players who have the desired attributes of skill, concentration and commitment to form the senior playing list in 2026.
His long-term aim and objective has been, consolidate and perform well in the B grade competition, after the Cougars were relegated from the B grade in 2023 finishing in a disappointing 8th position on the ladder.
The coaches have been encouraged to see several players who have returned from injury, study and work commitments recommence training this season. Blair Southcott who sustained an ACL injury in 2023 is making a welcome return to training with Ben Dupont who had an interrupted season in 2025 with work commitments. Tiger Morris who had a stint with Claremont last year is also looking forward to a successful Cougar season. Past players Steve Caccetta and Adam Brescacin have also been prominent after returning from Pickering Brook.
Last season the selection committee had the opportunity to blood over 60 players in the league side, the majority promoted from the Colts teams who acquitted themselves well at senior level. This experience will serve them well in the forthcoming season. With the number of colts now becoming eligible to play in senior ranks it will put plenty of pressure on the selectors in forming the league side for this season.
The selectors job will be particularly difficult in view of the number of players training and keen to play. Their task will be to select a senior men’s reserves and thirds team to support the league side, without having to disappoint players not selected for the first rounds. These players will find it’s a long season and they will have plenty of opportunities to play as the season progresses.
Players who are not selected on match days can help the coach and team management prepare for games. They can also assist their teammates on the field by positioning themselves around the boundary and encouraging them without crowding around the coaching area.
To contact the club a list of office bearers has been posted in facebook recently or you may contact John Watson on 0412 144 608 for further information.
This blog is produced as an independent community service for the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club and does not reflect the views or decisions made by the club’s administration.
The Kalamunda Cougars is a dynamic community football club and looks forward to your support in season 2026.
This post is dedicated to Don Benson Photography proud sponsor of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club
