Werribee’s Round 1 clash with Geelong at Spring Creek Reserve in Torquay from 2pm this Sunday will be the first of nine ‘home’ games for the Peter Jackson VFL’s ‘Travelling Tigers’ in 2017.
It will also be the first time a women's team has run out of the field for the Tigers.
Werribee’s traditional base of Avalon Airport Oval at Chirnside Park is currently undergoing an $11.75 million redevelopment, forcing the club to hit the roads of Victoria to stage its home fixtures.
After Sunday’s match, the Tigers host consecutive games at VU Whitten Oval (vs Footscray), North Melbourne Recreation Reserve (Essendon), Hoppers Crossing (Casey Demons) and Wangaratta Showgrounds (Collingwood), before home fixtures later in the season at Frankston Oval, Rams Arena, Etihad Stadium and Ikon Park.
The match in Torquay this weekend will be a double-header, with the Werribee versus Geelong VFL senior game to be followed by a women’s game featuring Geelong’s new Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s team against the AFL Victoria Women’s Academy.
The Academy team will wearing the Werribee colours in the Torquay game, in what Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna hopes will be one of the first steps in his club potentially having its own VFL Women's side in coming years.
“The Werribee Football Club feels it is ideally placed geographically and resource wise to participate in the VFL Women Competition,” Penaluna said. “The new Avalon Airport Oval will contain four unisex change rooms, VFL superior floodlighting and facilities at the very top end of the competition for both players, staff and supporters.
“Our football department boasts a full time coach and a team of over 100 assisting to field our teams each week. Our ongoing commitment to grow female participation at school and community level is testament to our dedication and willingness to be successful as part of this new venture.”
The AFL Victoria Women’s Academy is in its second year, and since last November has focused on developing players selected from community football and AFL talent searches, with a strong focus on AFL W club nominations.
The Academy coaches had a strong focus on skills, game sense and conditioning, hoping to prepare players for their VFL Women’s and community season
Two players - Jordan Ivey and Elise Strachan – were selected from the Academy onto AFLW lists during the season. Both have now signed with Geelong’s VFL Women’s side for the 2017 season.
Geelong will open the season against fellow new side Box Hill Hawks on Saturday May 6 at Simonds Stadium.
See below the Werribee/AFL Victoria Women’s Academy team that will face Geelong.
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Sophie
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Alexander
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Zoe
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Alston
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Hayley
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Bullas
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Jessie
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Coletti
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Molly
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Eastman
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Naomi
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Ferres
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Maighan
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Fogas
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Jess
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Francke
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Rachel
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Gastin
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Ashleigh
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Gunn
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Georgia
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Hammond
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Caroline
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Hardeman
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Reni
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Hicks
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Hannah
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Ibrahim
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Bianca
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Jones
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Bess
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Keaney
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Katie
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Klatt
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Genna
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Lawson-Tavan
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Taylor
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Mesiti
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Simone
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Nalder
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Carly
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Robson
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Giulia
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Sgro-Ralph
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Jayde
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Van Dyk
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Last Modified on 16/04/2017 11:46
