Box Hill North Football Club enters first AFL Women’s Masters competition

BOX Hill North Football Club will be one of the first Melbourne footy clubs to play in the AFL Women’s Masters competition.

Kerry Hersom, Catherine Mortimer, Anne Tambakis and Samantha Fossey are part of the Box Hill North AFL Women's Masters team. Picture: Stuart Milligan

BOX Hill North Football Club will be one of the first Melbourne footy clubs to play in the AFL Women’s Masters competition.

The club is training a group of female “masters” to be among the six Melbourne teams who will play in the inaugural women’s masters season.

Trainer Peter Woods said the Box Hill North team had 12 players and was in need of at least six more before the season kicked off on June 23.

THE WOMEN BEHIND FOOTY SUCCESS

“We’re trying to play catch-up to the other teams,” he said.

He’s urging women of any age over 30 years to have a go at the game.

“It’s about having fun and enjoying a new experience.”

Kerry Hersom, Catherine Mortimer, Anne Tambakis and Samantha Fossey are part of the Box Hill North AFL Women's Masters team. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Mr Woods said a history in footy was definitely not needed, with none of the recruits having played the sport before joining the team.

“They struggled a bit at the start, but they’re improving very quickly,” he said.

The AFL Women’s Masters league has also changed some of the traditional rules, such as adding a ban on throwing players to the ground.

Box Hill North Football Club already caters for male “masters”, with a team for men aged over 35 and one for men aged over 45.

Anyone wanting to get involved should contact president Anthony Freeman on 0401 676 135 or [e-mail]