A SPECIALLY formed GRFC Women’s Football Taskforce is officially up and running following its inaugural meeting at Simonds Stadium’s Sports House last week.

Consisting of eight members – both male and female – who represent a wide cross section of the Geelong football fraternity, the Taskforce’s first meeting was chaired by FFV Zone Development Officer for the Wimmera/South Coast region, Foddy Kyprian.

The concept of the Taskforce was originally discussed at a GRFC Delegate’s meeting several months ago, with the view of creating an advisory sub-committee that would be entrusted to come up with recommendations for the continued development of the female aspect of the sport in the Geelong region.

A call was issued to the member clubs and to the wider community for nominations to the Taskforce. Since then, a total of six club representatives responded and the Taskforce was formed.

Apart from the chairman, Foddy Kyprian, the other members of the Taskforce include the following:

-       Rose Pirrotina (Bell Park)

-       Bec Horrocks (Lara United)

-       Mimi Skoko (North Geelong Warriors)

-       Vicki Maroulis (Rangers)

-       Greta Wyeth (Surf Coast)

-       Gerard Spriet (Breakwater Eagles)

At the initial meeting last Monday night, the group discussed a variety of issues plaguing the women’s game locally, as well as opportunities that have either presented themselves or may be on the drawing board.

These include the structure of Junior Girls’ and Senior Women’s competitions for next season, the acute shortage of female only referees and the staging of out of season tournaments to generate interest and sustained growth of female football in Geelong.