THE resilient Wandong Football Club is thriving in the face of adversity.

Just one month before the start of the season, the junior football club is facing the prospect of playing every game away from home due to the $280,000 redevelopment of the LB Davern Reserve, which was burnt out on Black Saturday bushfires.

Just last month, Mother Nature again vented her fury on Wandong, flooding the temporary training ground.

But this hasn’t stopped the three-year-old club from growing rapidly. An under 16 side has been added to its under 10, two under 12s and the under 14 teams.

Club president Robert Telfer said the community had banded together to get the club through what will be a challenging year.

“The community are really behind what we’re doing, and they see that we’re not going to have it easy this year,” he said. “Financially we’re going to have to look at other avenues of funding the club. It’s short-term pain for long-term gain.”

Without canteen sales, the club will rely on registration fees and sponsorship dollars to keep it afloat.

“We’ve certainly got challenges ahead, but at least we know we have an oval next year, but we’ve just got to get through season 2010.”

Football club members, volunteers and tradesmen have helped to make the temporary training ground feel as much like a footy club as possible. A shipping container has been fitted out as a clubroom with a verandah and even carpet.

Riddell District Football League general manager John Batty said he hadn’t given up on finding a home ground for the club this year, even after the club’s negotiations with Assumption College fell through.

“The league will try to help the club to try and source another ground. To play all away games would be a last resort,” Mr Batty said. “If they play all away games they’re going to miss out on a great opportunity to increase their revenue base. It’s a real concern.”

Because of a lack of suitable ovals in Mitchell Shire, the league has started to look at potential grounds in other areas, such as Donnybrook in Hume City Council.

“They are not expecting handouts, they just need a couple of breaks to go their way so they can get through the season,” Mr Batty said.

Mr Batty said the club’s ability to “rise from the ashes” after Black Saturday was a testament to the community’s spirit.

“It’s a sensational example of what can be achieved and the value of volunteers in the local community.

“I’ve been involved in footy for 50 years and it’s the first time I’ve seen lights operating off a generator. That’s just a fantastic piece of innovation by them.”