Coldstream and Yarra Glen junior football teams celebrate Jetstream grand final win

A last minute team merger has seen two Yarra Valley junior footy club’s celebrate a premiership win. Read a first-person account of how the victory impacted players.

Jetstream players Ruby, Chloe, Sienna, Paris, Sophie, Charlotte and Alisha training at Yarra Glen Football Club. Picture: Stuart Milligan

A story of underdog glory has shone through in Yarra Ranges junior footy after two girl’s teams struggling to find players joined to win their first premiership.

It was only a fortnight before the season started when neither Coldstream nor Yarra Glen junior football clubs could field an under-14s girls’ team for the Eastern Region, until they decided two should become one.

The players soon took on their own identity and became Jetstream — a combination of both team’s names — and smashed the opposition and to win the grand final.

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The merger worked so well, both clubs are looking to try it out with all the girls’ teams from under-10s to under-18s — and they’re looking for players.

Coldstream Junior Football Club president Kane Powell said the two clubs had made something out of nothing.

“Why struggle alone,” Mr Powell said.

Yarra Glen Junior Football Club vice president Darren Bennett said the neutral identity was a unique situation.

Jetstream came together and won the premiership. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“We think it worked so well last year, not only with the name but the girls developed really good friendships and such a close bond,” Mr Bennett said.

He said it was all about coming down, having fun and trying footy out.

“If we create a good environment and they have fun, they’re likely to stick with it. You don’t have to be an AFL star.”

Mr Bennett said by building strong teams and clubs, the solid team environment would lead a pathway to the AFLW.

Proud premiership win

by Jetstream player Jess Beraud

The 2018 Junior Girls Football season looked uncertain for the girls of Coldstream due to the introduction of the new rulings.

With only two weeks before the official commencement to the season the merger of the Coldstream girls’ teams and Yarra Glen’s under-14 girls took place.

We created a team that we affectionately named Jetstream.

With limited training together our team went into the season unaware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses which was areal challenge, but us girls were so passionate and excited to have the chance to play football we didn’t have any problems in overcoming the minor setbacks we started with.

Jetstream players from Coldstream and Yarra Glen.

We went into our first match with drive and commitment for the game and won.

As the season continued, we became stronger and made our way to the top of the ladder, becoming the undefeated team in the league and we battled our way through the finals to win the premiership.

I lived for training and match days with these girls, just being able to sing our song after each game alongside such committed girls was a real privilege and unbelievable how girls that barley knew each other could create such an outstanding side.

Jetstream after their win.

I love this sport as it allows me to get fit while having fun with all my teammates.

Also being able to express myself by being able to yell as loud as I want and getting a little rough out on the field.

There is always something to do out on the field and the game doesn’t consist of as many rules compared with other sports.

Ever since I was little I’ve always loved and supported Australian football and I definitely see that it being a sport that Australia should invest in.

I’m so proud of the Jetstream girls and what we achieved though out the 2018 football season.

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