Darebin Falcons: VFL team to stay at Bill Lawry Oval after Darebin Council bail out

In 2016 the Darebin Falcons were undefeated champions and responsible for a lot of the elite talent that made its way into the AFLW. Two years on, it has taken a last-minute $300,000 lifeline from an unlikely source just to keep its team on the park.

Darebin Falcons Molly Eastman, Annalyse Lister and Maddy Guerin have a secure future thanks to a $300,000 partnership with Darebin Council. Picture: Hamish Blair

THE trailblazing Darebin Falcons have been given a last-minute free kick from Darebin Council, who will stump up money to keep them on the field.

The four-year deal will give the all-women club $300,000 to keep their premiership winning VFL team in the competition.

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But some within the sports the community have questioned the decision, accusing the council of playing favourites and making policy on the run.

The Falcons have more than 550 members playing AFL, soccer, cricket and 8-ball pool and have participated in the VFLW competition since it began in 2016.

The Darebin Falcons celebrate the VFLW premiership in 2017. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Falcons president Sarah Brady said the club coughed up more than $150,000 a year to run the VFL side and a lack of commercialisation in women’s footy made fundraising difficult.

Ms Brady said without the council money they couldn’t afford the minimum standards put in place by AFL Victoria and the club would have been forced to fold its VFL team or join an AFL club.

“We don’t want to lose our identity. It’s a community club and a real family for (the players),” she said.

Katie Brennan (left) was one of many Falcons players to make the jump into the AFLW. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Ms Brady, who thanked the council for its support, said they were “putting their money where their mouth is” in promoting participation in women’s sport.

Darebin Mayor Kim Le Cerf said the partnership was a “unique opportunity” to secure the future of the women's only club and its programs would benefit the whole community.

“Their participation in elite competition is inspiring for women and girls and their commitment to social inclusion and community is outstanding,” she said.

But councillors faced a grilling from the public at a recent council meeting asking why money wasn’t available to more clubs in the area.

Northern Bullants Amateur Football Club coach and former Darebin mayor Vince Fontana said the decision was “bad policy” and there should be more explanation as to why the Falcons were favoured over other clubs.

“We have women sent to us from refugee agencies so why are they selected? They’ve got 550 people and we’re a battling club,” he said.

Transgender football Hannah Mouncey (right) made her debut for the Darebin Falcons this year after being blocked from entering the AFLW competition. Picture: James Ross

The partnership agreement includes an annual payment of $80,000 for two years and an optional extension of $80,000 in the third year and $60,000 in the fourth.

The Falcons had to inform AFL Victoria of their decision to remain in the VFLW by the end of October.

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