Herald Sun |
WANDIN has found an apt way to connect with those in and out of the doghouse.
The Bulldogs are the first Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League Division 1 club to have their own smartphone app.
They follow in the steps of Division 2 club Yea, while Monbulk has followed suit and swooped on the idea.
The app is built through Team App, a platform for sporting clubs to create their own, free smart phone app.
Bob Foletta is the fingers behind Wandin's app and, when he's not updating it with information, he's coaching the Bulldogs reserves.
The app features club news, team selections for all grades of football and netball, a weekly wrap, function dates and details.
It now includes match day weather conditions, particularly for away games.
"It's been really good so far, and I know a lot of people around the club have downloaded it,'' Foletta said. "And you can sign in and become a member of the app.
"I'm not that tech savvy, I'm still learning as we go, but the ultimate goal would be one day that everyone uses the app and we could broadcast our games on it.''
The Bulldogs social media presence is also felt on Facebook and Twitter where they have a healthy following.
Danny Gorog is the co-founder of Melbourne-based app development company Outware Mobile and presents a weekly segment on SEN's The Run Home featuring the latest apps.
He said there was a growing niche market for local sporting clubs to connect with their members.
"Obviously everyone is going mobile so the better information you can get to them on a mobile, the better,'' Gorog said.
"App development is pretty expensive - creating one can cost $40/50,000 plus. "So, if you can go with a ready-made one like Wandin has, it is cost-effective. I'm all for it as long as the club keeps it up to date and with relevant information.''
MEANWHILE, Mount Evelyn jumped from ninth to fifth after beating Monulk, 15.16 (106) to 10.14 (74); Upwey Tecoma held top spot with a 14.27 (111) to 8.8 (56) win over Gembrook Cockatoo; Woori Yallock was too strong for Belgrave, 10.8 (68) to 7.8 (50), Wandin thumped Olinda Ferny Creek, 20.7 (127) to 14.11 (95), and Warburton Millgrove outclassed Emerald, 11.8 (74) to 8.11 (59).
