VAFA club Old Carey waive women’s footy fees to attract more footballers

Old Carey has made a unique move on the eve of the season, making them a more attractive destination for wannabe footballers. Here’s what they have done.

Old Carey is waiving its fees for their female footballers this season in an attempt to attract enough players to bring back a women’s footy side for the first time since 2019.

The Panthers who are approaching their 70th anniversary next year are looking to field a women’s team in the VAFA Division 4 competition.

With about a handful of players required to make up a full team plus a few extras, the club has decided to make participation free of charge this season.

Panthers head coach Ryan Dobson said it was a great show of support from the club.

“It’s a show of faith to show any girls, past players and girls coming through the school system that we are fully committed and we are willing to pull out all stops to get this program up and running,” Dobson said.

Old Carey footballers with coach Ryan Dobson at training. Picture: Supplied.

“Obviously the school has quite a strong football program and the last couple of years since Covid, they haven’t had the senior program like the Old boys program.

“It’s a must have really if you want to be taken seriously in the VAFA.”

Dobson, who was the senior men’s coach of EFNL club Nunawading for the past three years, said the club had strong foundations to become a top tier women’s side in future.

“I think with the feeder system coming out of the school and from the talent of the girls I have seen already... I could imagine us climbing right up the ranks in the next few years,” he said.

“In five years, you would be hoping to be up there in premier division battling it out for a premiership.”

Old Carey women's football players at training. Picture: Supplied.

The Carey Grammar School girls First football team finished in a promising third position last year in the APS/AGSV competition.

The school is set to be a part of a strong pathway for the club where former students can transition and play for the Panthers similar to other VAFA clubs who receive male and female graduates from their associated schools.

Like other clubs, the Panthers are also welcoming players from elsewhere to join.

Panthers president Michael Tarrant said it is important females had the same opportunities that the men have.

He pointed to the strong community environment that local clubs created as a reason for why it is vital.

“The future for me looks like the how the men’s footy looks,” Tarrant said.

“So the future for me is equality, it’s creating an environment after school, which is really important for friends and people to catch up with one another once their finished with school.

“It’s an important avenue for the next phase of life for the girls.”

Old Carey female footballers showing off their jerseys. Picture: Supplied.

Tarrant said it was also important for the club to bring back the women’s footy program particularly with their association with Carey Grammar.

“Being a co-ed school, obviously it is really important for us to get the girls up and running,” he said.

“During Covid thing fells apart as they do so for me as president I think it is really important to have the women back involved.”

VAFA chief executive Jason Reddick was happy to see the work of the Panthers, supporting its women’s football program.

“We are pleased to see our VAFA clubs exploring new initiatives to attract female players into our competition,” Reddick said.

“Growth of women‘s football is one of the key initiatives of our new Strategic Plan, so it is great to see Old Carey FC focused on that.

“We are proud of our status as the largest Women's football competition in Australia, and a lot of our VAFA effort and resources is spent on ensuring we have the best environment for women to maximise their talents and enjoyment of Australian Rules football.

“An added incentive for our elite players this year is the incentive of showcasing their talents in the Big V representative match against Perth Football League on July 15th.”

The Carey women’s side train on Tuesday and Thursday’s from 6-7.30pm at the Carey Bulleen Sports Complex.