The most influential women of the Essendon District league

The presence of women in key roles at clubs across the Essendon District league continues to rise. Here are some of those making a difference.

Women are continuing to play an important role in shaping the role at clubland in the Essendon District Football League.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve named some of the most influential figures across the competition.

Wendy Abraham, Deer Park

Wendy is a committee member who’s family continue to be heavily involved with the Lions.

“I have two young boys — aged 11 and 12 — that are footy fanatics and have been playing for DPFC since 2018,” she said.

“They are currently in under-12s and under-14s respectively. Prior to this, the boys were involved with Auskick at Caroline Springs; however, after a ‘play-date’ with school friends that were already with DPFC, the boys were eager to ‘switch clubs’ and have not looked back since.

“Over the past five years, my husband and I have happily volunteered for numerous roles at the club, including but not limited to team manager, assistant coach, trainer, match day manager, timekeeper and more.

“In addition to merchandising and committee responsibilities, a ‘normal’ week involves my husband and I taking the boys to training on Wednesday and Friday nights and then to games over the weekend.

“Amid these responsibilities, I remain passionate about DPFC and derive satisfaction from also being heavily involved in fundraising events, pizza nights and sausage sizzles throughout the year.”

Samantha Bavdek, Deer Park

Samantha is the club’s current junior vice-president and co-ordinator.

She has been involved since 2015 before he children playing junior footy in 2016.

In 2017-18 she was asked to become the club’s junior coodinator and answered yes “without hesitation, not only for my children but all the children to be able to play the sport they loved”.

She also stepped up into the role of junior vice-president in 2019.

“During my time here I have made a lot of friends and we have grown as a family club and are not just a football club but we have built our own little community and family around the Deer Park Football Club,” she said.

Candice Berry, Deer Park

The current Deer Park vice-president has been around the club her entire life through family involvement.

This is her second year as in her current role.

“Within my role I manage all social media, senior merchandise and events for the season (and) I am also team manager for the reserves,” she said.

Nicole Bird, Westmeadows

What an outstanding contributor to the Tigers, Nicole is.

The club said: “Nicole is a living legend at Westmeadows Football Club — her blood should be bottled.

“She was our junior co-ordinator for a number of years, just naturally stepping up to volunteer to help her three children play and enjoy the game they love.

“Nicole steps in wherever needed, helping in the canteen, bar, match day roles such as scoring, time keeping, match day official, she’s the cleaner, rubbish picker-upper-rah, events organiser, mediator.

“Nicole has been named club person for two seasons and in her role as junior co-ordinator she single hardily managed over 200 players, their parents, 10 coaches, training sessions, guest AFL stars, game day operations, ensuring all players and their families enjoyed their time at our club.”

Candice Barry is the current vice-president of Deer Park.

Dee Brown is a much loved member of West Coburg.

Dee Brown, West Coburg

Currently the Burgers’ junior girls co-ordinator and club committee member, Brown continues to play a strong role at Shore Reserve.

“She has been the junior girls co-ordinator since 2017, when girls teams were established at West Coburg,” the club said.

“She is passionate and enthusiastic around building the female football program at WCFC and more broadly within the EDFL. Dee organises all uniforms, equipment and volunteers for our girls teams.

“She calls any new or prospective players families directly to welcome them to the club.

“She has organised come and try sessions and clinic‘s in schools. Dee recently was a member of a group of seven local EDFL club co-ordinators looking out how best to share resources and grow the female football within the EDFL.

“ All three daughters have played with the club and now one is and EDFL boundary umpire.

“Dee is also on the WCFC committee with a portfolio of infrastructure (redevelopment of main club rooms) and balances this with a full-time career.”

Suellen Isherwood, Deer Park

Suellen is the current head trainer and assistant treasurer at the now EDFL club.

She has been a trainer with the Lions for six years and a committee member for the last four. Suellen is also an advocate for the Deer Park Community, volunteering at the Deer Park Cricket Club and Deer Park Club.

She has been actively involved in local football for 20 years in various roles including life membership at Braybrook Sporting Club.

“I have always had a love of football, (and) decided 20 years ago to be actively involved and support football in community,” she said.

Liana Keenan, Westmeadows

Liana has been the club secretary for four years and Auskick co-ordinator for two years.

She is also a women’s sport advocate, life member of Westmeadows (member for over 20 years) and pride ambassador.

Liana has played a key role in helping set up fundraisers for charities including MND, Cancer Council and McGrath Pink Stumps.

She is a community advocate for welcoming female with diversity, encouraging inclusion and participation.

Elisha Knight, Deer Park

Elish is the current club administrator at Deer Park and is closely connected with her eldest son playing in the club’s senior side.

Debra Williams, Westmeadows

Debra is the current female vice-president at Tigerland.

She is also a life member and former secretary of four years.

“Deb promotes the inclusion of women on and off the field and strives for equal opportunities for women in sport,” the club said.