Women’s player numbers soar but Darebin Falcons still need cash for new footballs

THEY are one of the best footy clubs in Melbourne, but Darebin Falcons is having to appeal to strangers for money to buy essential equipment like footballs.

A WOMEN’S sports club in Melbourne’s north is kicking goals when it comes to numbers but is having to seek help to buy 100 new footballs.

Training numbers at the Darebin Falcons have doubled since last season, with more than 100 players looking to suit up this year. The club has a VFL senior side, two Northern Football League senior sides and an under-18s team.

But the Preston club’s haul of footies is no longer up to code after a league rule change reduced the size of the balls to align with the AFLW.

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A GoFundMe post said the club was “run on the smell of an oily rag” and appealed for help to raise $8800 for the new balls.

Club president Aleisha Leonard said record-high interest in the women’s game would help donations.

Darebin Falcons players Elsie Casamento, Grace Kirley, Cherelle Byrne and Marnie Szikla need cash to buy 100 new footballs. Picture: Josie Hayden

“With the success of AFLW and a lot of our players performing so well on the big stage, we thought the timing was right to make a public appeal to help us nurture the next Daisy Pearce,” Leonard said.

Melbourne Demons marquee player Melissa Hickey urged people to kick in and said playing for the Falcons changed her life.

“I have no doubt at all that I wouldn’t be where I am today without having landed at the club,” she said.

“It’s such a strong culture of good people and volunteers striving towards success.”

Hickey said the volunteer club relied on generous fans digging deep.

“We have to pay for our own fees and uniforms, so any support we get from the public helps us be the best athletes we can be,” she said.

In addition to Hickey, AFLW marquee players Daisy Pearce (Melbourne), Katie Brennan (Western Bulldogs) and Darcy Vescio (Carlton) all played for the Falcons last year.

Club management said its list could hit 200 within 12 months.

The VFLW recently reduced standard football sizes from four and a half to four.

New balls cost $88 each. So far, $3210 has been raised.

“The league will provide match balls, but we believe that the best way for footballers to improve their skills is to regularly have a footy in their hands on the training track,” Ms Leonard said.

Donate at gofundme.com/help-the-falcons-buy-new-footballs