Maribyrnong Park U12 girls footy team excluded from finals in ‘sexist’ move

A war of words has erupted between a Melbourne council and a footy league over a “sexist” move to block junior girls from playing finals.

Maribyrnong Park under 12 girls team has called out discrimination after the division won't have a finals series in the EDFL while the boys sides will. Picture: Jason Edwards

Members of an under-12 girls team say they have been denied their chance to play a finals series, in a move labelled discriminatory and sexist.

Parents want the Essendon District Football League to let the girls at Maribyrnong Park play on, and some big names have joined calls to change the situation.

Mum Sarita Holland, wife of former Collingwood star Brodie, said their daughter Stevie’s team finished third but was not scheduled to play past the regular season.

Stevie’s brothers’ team, which finished fourth, was pencilled in for finals.

“We have an amazing group of kids and dads who are all rooting for the girls to be treated equally,’’ Ms Holland said.

“We only have one team of girls and they want to play, just like the boys.

“I’m not one to ruffle feathers but this is discrimination and we want better for our daughters.

“Either all play finals or none.”

Marley Robertson and Stevie Holland, both 11, play for the Maribyrnong Park under-12 girls and just want to play finals. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms Holland’s social media post on the issue at the weekend has attracted widespread support, including from high-profile names including Moana Hope, Nadia Bartel, Abbey Holmes, Shaynna Blaze, Mardi Dangerfield, Josh Gibson, Sophie Cachia and Tayla Harris.

Collingwood AFLW co-captain Steph Chiocci even offered to umpire the finals games along with help from teammates.

Bartel wrote: “What the hell?!!!! That is crazy!! Are we in the year 2021 or back to the ‘60s?”

A petition created by one of the 11-year-old players, Marley Robertson, now has almost 6000 signatures.

Holland’s daughter Stevie, 11, has been playing football for four years.

Coach of the under-12s team Cameron Wood said he was hoping the finals would be reinstated.

“I believe our club has spoken to the EDFL about the issue,’’ Wood said.

“They said it is not a gender-based issue, all divisions have been impacted, but no one has been affected unequally.

“They also mentioned something about shortage of grounds, but that’s not right.

“My feeling is they look at the girls as a lesser competition. If you are going to make a rule it needs to be fair for everyone.”

The EDFL denied any discrimination, saying it was the same situation for eight junior divisions where boys teams were affected and finals cut back.

Chief executive Ian Kyte said all efforts were being made to ­salvage and extend seasons.

“The EDFL from the beginning has tried to play as much football as we can,’’ Mr Kyte said. “We see them all as footballers and are trying to give as much football to the players as possible.

“There are lots of other mitigating factors, the councils want grounds back at the end of August to prepare for cricket season.”

Mr Kyte also said the EDFL had found a sponsor to run a girls program in the off season.

He hopes to have further clarity on the situation and the effect of lockdown during the week.

But Moonee Valley mayor Cam Nation has hit back at the EDFL, saying there was no directive to hand back grounds.

“Moonee Valley City Council is disappointed that the Essendon District Football League are shifting blame to council rather than just owning up to a poor decision to cancel the Under-12 female football season,’’ he said.

“Contrary to the statements made by the EDFL, council does not ‘want grounds back at the end of August to prepare for cricket season’.

“Winter tenants get full usage of grounds until the end of September, with handover on October 1.

“In addition, we identified there may be an issue following Ms Holland’s Instagram post, and last Friday at 12.20pm a council representative proactively contacted the EDFL advising we could assist with finding extra grounds if needed. We were advised that ground space was not the issue.

“As such, to see blame shifted to council, based on ‘council wanting to take back grounds’, is extremely disappointing.

“Moonee Valley City Council champions all junior sport regardless of gender and believes equal opportunities should be provided to all players.

“Should the EDFL wish to review this decision, Moonee Valley City Council is more than willing to find adequate grounds to ensure the girls can play a full season.”