By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
SENIOR Women’s football is set to return to Wyndhamvale in 2018, with the club hopeful of developing a complete female footy pathway for aspiring players.
The Falcons last fielded a senior side three years ago as part of the VWFL Division 3 competition.
That year the club claimed the premiership in an impressive undefeated season. However the team disbanded the following year and senior women’s football hasn’t returned to Wyndhamvale since, however that’s all about to change.
“We are currently developing a complete female football pathway from Auskick through to senior football,” Wyndhamvale secretary Duncan Ettles said.
“The next step in the plan being to reinstate our senior team.
“We have a very strong Under 18 Girls team, but since the end of 2014, all our top age players have moved to other clubs to play senior women's football. We want to see the club retain these players.
“It would be great to see a female name on our honour board under the 300 Club Games.”
The Wyndhamvale Football Club recently held a Come and Try Day. Several new players attended and showed a great interest in playing in 2018.
Ettles said the club was hopeful of growing their junior numbers next season, with the club aiming to field Under 15 and Under 18 girls teams.
“So far we have received a huge response from new players in the Under 15 age group, plus we have girls who have been playing in our boys sides for the last few years, so we are pretty confident this will happen in 2018,” he said.
This year the Falcons claimed the Under 18 premiership, finishing the season undefeated.
“They were our only premiership team in 2017, and were the focal point for the entire club throughout the finals. This raised a new awareness of female football at Wyndhamvale as more people were exposed to it through watching the games, and through social media,” Ettles said.
“At the Grand Final, our Division 1 senior players came along to support our girls. For most of them it was their first time watching the girls, and they were quite surprised at the physicality and high standard of skills on display during the game.”
Wyndhamvale has also been a successful hunting ground for AFLW talent. Former Falcons junior Jess Cameron was selected by Collingwood last season, while young gun Naomi Ferres was picked by the Bulldogs in last month’s rookie draft.
“Naomi is an extremely talented footballer, and it was fantastic to see her drafted as a rookie to the Bulldogs. She played in our Under 18 team for several years, and was always destined for greater things,” Ettles said.
“It is great to see some of our girls have success at the highest level.”
In preparation for next season the club has already appointed a Senior Women’s coach. Andrew Haig, the Under 18 Girls premiership coach from this season, is set to take the reins.
Ettles said Haig’s focus was to not only ensure all players have fun, but also to develop their football skills throughout the year.
“Andrew (Haig) likes a challenge, and after winning the Under 18 premiership, it was only natural for him to move up as senior coach for 2018,” he said.
“Combining with Senior Women's Assistant Coach Luke Baker, and Under 18 Girls Coach, Matthew Jones, we have a strong and experienced coaching group for our female footballers.”
Wyndhamvale has already began pre-season training, but it isn’t too late for any interested players to join the club, with players of all ages and abilities encouraged to contact the club.
If you need more information, please contact Club Secretary Duncan Ettles on 0487 922 741, Andrew Haig on 0432 117 851 or Matthew Jones on 0488 585 562.
Last Modified on 24/11/2017 10:28