By Justin Jenvey from The Alpine Observer & Myrtelford Times - Published 25/01/2017
The Alpine Lions have recently commenced training ahead of the second official North East Border Youth Girls League season.
With the inaugural Women’s AFL season set to kick off next weekend there has never been a more exciting time for women’s football.
Alpine Lions coach Scott Reeb said the forming of a national competition has also helped to grow girls and women’s footy at the grass roots level, with the AFL NEB Youth Girls League set to be bigger and better in 2017.
“Last year there were only four teams and 10 rounds plus finals and this year there will be six teams and a 12 round home and away season,” he said.
“All the girls are really excited that there is finally a pathway to follow and something to aim for.
“A lot of girls that are playing have always been interested in football but have never had the motivation to play because there was nowhere to go with it.
“It’s great to see club’s wanting be involved and club’s from small country towns taking the opportunity to have a team and give girls another sport to play.”
The AFL North East Border Youth Girls League's original four teams are the Lavington 'Pink' Panthers, Wodonga Raiders, Murray Felines (Wahgunyah, Rutherglen & Corowa FNC's) and Alpine Lions, who are affiliated with the Whorouly Football Netball Club.
This year’s new teams are set to come from Thurgoona and Yarrawonga.
Reeb said the Alpine Lions turf stretches from Benalla through to Bright and the team had attracted young girls from a range of different sporting backgrounds.
“We have girls who have played netball and basketball, a few hockey players come through and even girls that haven't previously played any organised sport,” he said.
“We had 32 girls at the end of the season after starting off with about 25 and we want to fill all 30 jumpers again.
“At the moment we have about 23 confirmed players and few others who are not quite sure.
“Out of the 23, eight or nine are new this year so we have a fairly young side, quite a lot between 13 and 16 and then a few older ones.
"Whorouly have been the best club to do this with and they have really made the girls feel apart of the club."
The Alpine Lions are currently training two nights a week, at Galen College in Wangaratta on Wednesday and the Whorouly football ground on Thursday, both commencing at 5.30pm.
Any girls aged between 13-17 interested in playing for the Alpine Lions can contact Scott Reeb on 0400 331 436.
Pictured from left are Beatrice and Bernice Bitting, Casey Green, Hannah Fitzgerald, Gemma Ryan, Eliza Moore and coach Scott Reeb.
Last Modified on 31/01/2017 12:13