Fitzory Junior Football Club girls win best and fairest awards

CHRISTINA Leuzzi and Conni Vlass are among the only girls at Fitzroy Junior Football Club. But they have both won club best and fairests over the boys.

CHRISTINA Leuzzi and Conni Vlass are among the only girls at Fitzroy Junior Football Club.

But they have thrived while battling the boys, both claiming club best and fairests last month.

Christina, 12, won Fitzroy’s under-11 award, while Conni, 14, received the accolade for the under-14s.

“I was excited,” Christina says.

“I got the biggest trophy.

“It’s really good for girls to beat most boys.”

Conni, of Beverley, adds: “I was surprised but happy”.

Christina, of West Croydon, is among three girls in Fitzroy’s under-11 team.

Conni’s under-14 teammates are all boys.

Not that it bothers her.

“It was a bit scary at first, being a girl in a team full of boys, not knowing anyone and just starting the game,” Conni says.

“(This year) all the boys knew me, had got used to me and got used to having a girl on the team.

“They’re my friends now, instead of just teammates.”

Christina, who also plays for West Adelaide, followed her brothers, Matthew and Joel, into football last year.

“They’d kick to me in the backyard and sometimes tackle.

“It’s good playing at Fitzroy. I like it.”

Football is also a big part of Conni’s family.

Her older sister, Demi, is an umpire, while her brother, JJ, has served as an inspiration.

“I used to go with my brother to his trainings and I thought I could do the same as him,” Conni says.

AFL rules state mixed teams can be up until under-14s.

Fitzroy is seeking players to try to fill a women’s team next season.

Conni is hopeful the squad comes to fruition so she can remain at the club.

Both girls’ long-term goal is to play in the SANFL women’s league.

Players interested in joining Fitzroy’s women’s team can contact Kim Grantham on 0418 522 223