By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
GIRLS footy will be front and centre in the Western Region Football League next season and over the next few weeks we will be profiling all the clubs who will be fielding teams in our standalone competition.
Today, we get to learn more about the Deer Park Football Club…
The number of girls playing footy at Deer Park have continued to increase over the past few years and as we move into a landmark 2017 season, the Lions are forging ahead with grand plans.
Deer Park first fielded a Youth Girls team five years ago and ever since the club has seen a steady growth in participation.
“We have played in the past two finals and our captain won the WRFL Best and Fairest award this season,” Female Football Coordinator Mark Rowbottom said.
“Since that initial year we have added a women’s team that has been able to win back-to-back premierships including this year in Premier Division.
“We had requested to move up to the VFL competition but our application was not accepted for 2017, so we will work towards that in the coming years as we want our players exposed to the highest level of competition that is possible.”
Next season, Deer Park will be aiming to field an Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 side in the WRFL’s new standalone girls competition.
“We are also looking to add a Female Football Operations Manager to club to assist with running and coordinating the Female side of the club,” Rowbottom said.
“We have had some discussions with local schools and think the opportunity to increase participation numbers is strong.
“We have an aim of ensuring the girls enjoy their football experience and are exposed to good role models.”
Rowbottom said girls footy will get even more attention next year thanks to the inaugural AFL Women’s competition.
He said young girls can now dream of playing in the AFL, just like the boys do.
“It will be interesting to see how the skills improve over the coming years as more girls participate and better quality coaching programs are introduced and as a club we are totally behind the drive to grow the women’s game.”
The Western Bulldogs women’s team will also have a Deer Park flavour with senior coach Marc Bullen appointed an assistant coach.
The Division 1 premiership coach will take charge of the backline.
Finally, girls training will begin on November 23 at 5pm. A come and try night for Under-12 players will be held at the club on November 30 at 5.30pm.
If anyone is interested in joining Deer Park visit their website, Facebook page or contact Mark on 0409 317 022.
Last Modified on 17/11/2016 13:05