AFLW pathways for Yarra Ranges and Knox girls and women’s footy players
Grassroots girls and women’s football is growing fast and there is every reason to be part of it.
Outer East
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With the rise of the women’s footy across the country, grassroots clubs are calling for girls and women to get involved.
Outer east clubs in Yarra Ranges and Knox want to see eager players join their ranks, with the pathways now in place to see talent rise into the AFLW.
Eastern Region Girls Football League female talent and competition co-ordinator Jessie Mulholland said women’s footy had grown in its short three years from 89 teams in 2017 to an expected 180 teams this year.
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Ms Mulholland said the rise of grassroots women’s football had not only been beneficial for girls and women in learning the sport and socialising but also for the clubs.
“People didn’t realise the impact it would have to clubs,” Ms Mulholland said.
“Men are also seeing the benefits with women coming to social events and boosting the numbers at the clubs.”
Ms Mulholland encouraged girls and women playing to enjoy their football and for those interested in going further in the sport to work on honing their skills to stand out.
She said it was important to work on correct tackling technique as girls tended to dive in head first, and also preventing ACL injuries.
The Basin Football Club president Matt Young said the club offered something for women of all ages who were interested in joining.
“We encourage girls of all ages to join our club for fun, fitness and friendship and offer a complete pathway from under-10s all the way to seniors,” Mr Young said.
“However, for those who aim to compete at an elite level in 2019 we offer a number of programs to fast track advancement including age specific strength and conditioning programs, prehab, rehab, recovery education, nutrition education, offsite training opportunities and off-season training programs.”
He said last year under-18s player Nicki Cormack was scouted and selected to play for the Eastern Ranges and will now be playing for Hawthorn Football Club’s VFLW team.
Mr Young said volunteer coaches were given high performance mentor training so players had access to the best coaching available.
Coldstream Junior Football Club president Kane Powell said the club was looking for girls of all ages to join teams from under-10s to under-18s.
“There are some girls who are mad as a cut snake about footy,” Mr Powell said.
“But others who like to play but not to train. There are some boys who are also the same.”
He said there is only so much junior footy players can practice at training.
“You do a lot by doing stuff in your own time,” Mr Powell said.
“That’s when you pick up a lot your skills.”
The Basin Football Club is holding registration day at the club from 5.30 to 7pm on Friday, February 22.
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