They started out training on the sand at Seven Mile Beach and running night circuits under car headlights at Pat Morton Lookout.

Now Lennox Head’s newest sporting club, the Lennox Saints AFL team, is eyeing a permanent home ground.

Formed this year as part of the revival of senior men’s AFL in the Northern Rivers, the Saints quickly proved there was strong appetite for the code in the growing community. 

Club founder Brad O’Connell said the idea took shape when a group of football mates came together to rebuild the regional men’s competition.

“We thought Lennox was ready for its own side,” O’Connell said.

 “The population has grown, and there was already strong interest in AFL across the shire. Once we put the word out, we ended up with over 30 players –  far more than we expected.”

With no home oval, the Saints relied on creativity and grit. Saturday mornings were spent running drills on the beach, while midweek training sessions meant sprinting up to Pat Morton Lookout, where players pushed through circuits under car headlights.

 “It wasn’t easy, but it built a strong culture,” O’Connell said. 

“The commitment of the players to keep turning up in those conditions showed how much this meant.”

That resilience carried onto the field. In their debut season, the Saints finished third in the competition –  a result O’Connell described as “a fantastic surprise.”

The local league featured seven teams across the Northern Rivers, with a Tweed Heads side expected to join next year, further boosting the code’s growthl.

The Saints’ focus now shifts to securing a permanent ground.   O’Connell said early talks have begun with Ballina Shire Council.

 “We’d love a place to call home and wherever Council can see us fitting in, we’re keen to sit down and discuss the future. 

“Having facilities in Lennox would allow us not only to strengthen the men’s side, but also to look at starting women’s and junior teams.”

The club had the attention of Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, who attended their end-of-season celebration last week, praising the Saint’s determination.

 “What the Saints have achieved in such a short time is nothing short of inspiring,” she said.

 “Their passion and resilience show just how much Lennox deserves facilities to match the community’s enthusiasm.”

For O’Connell, the Saints have already become more than just a football team.

“Especially in today’s climate, men’s health and connection are so important,” he said. 

“This has given a group of blokes a place to belong, to push themselves, and to support each other.

“That’s been as valuable as anything we’ve done on the field.”