Nangwarry Saints club almost 'right to go' three years after arson attack

Three years after a deliberately lit fire ripped through the Nangwarry Football Club's clubrooms, the Saints are set to rise from the ashes.

Work is almost complete on the rebuild of the home of the Nangwarry Saints Football and Netball Club.

At the time, police investigating the January 2019 incident said the fire was suspicious and caused around $500,000 in damage, including the loss of historic club memorabilia from their first premiership in 1993.

As the 2022 season got underway last weekend, club president Shane Ploenges said the excitement was «starting to build» with the new clubrooms almost complete.

«There's been some delays due to COVID but most of the hurdles have been overcome and we're down to the final touches — the fit-out inside the building, paths and some smaller jobs,» he said.

«We should be right to go just after Easter.»

In the years since the fire destroyed the clubrooms, players and the community have used makeshift outbuildings, set up outdoor seating and held after-game gatherings in community facilities around the town.

But Mr Ploenges said «everyone was looking forward to having a club home again».

«The biggest thing with the rebuild will be having things like the canteen and barbecue area under one roof — it'll make it a lot more user friendly for the volunteers,» he said.

«The last couple of years have been a struggle.

»You're moving stuff from one place to another and taking people away from the grounds … and once that happens people tend to get in their car and keep on going."

Mr Ploenges said there was no lack of community spirit in Nangwarry, with the town rallying around the club in the wake of the incident.

Leading into the 2022 season, the Nangwarry Saints football club has one main goal — to win