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 St Albans Football Club…
Recruitment for St Albans’ new girl teams is in full swing, with the club fielding enquiries from a number of prospective players.
St Albans’ Laura Kretiuk said the club wanted to support local families by encouraging girls to follow their dreams of playing AFL football.
“The club is thrilled to be given this opportunity to field and promote female football,” she said.
“We are in the process of talking to past female players and getting them on board to develop and encourage our new girls and strengthen the relationship with the club.”
This isn’t the first time St Albans has been involved with girls’ football. It was 16 years ago when they began fielding a girls’ side.
“In 2000, St Albans FC and the Sports Club began its partnership with the Spurs, our first ever girls team,” Kretiuk said.
“With an influx of players and only one team it was essential that the Spurs created another team and another opportunity to play our great game and so, our reserves team was born.”
St Albans came close to winning the 2002 and 2003 premierships, but came up short on both occasions. However, in 2004, their run of bad luck in Grand Finals ended, claiming their first flag.
“In late 2015, the club then relocated to Footscray, landing a major sponsorship with the Maribyrnong City Council and Victoria University, and a community partnership with the Western Bulldogs, the move to Henry Turner Memorial Reserve took place,” Kretiuk said.
Now girls football is firmly back on the St Albans agenda, with the club looking ahead to what is shaping up to be an exciting 2017 season.
“We are in the early phase of recruiting a coach and have begun the advertising,” Kretiuk said.
“We want to ensure the best possible person is allocated to the role. Someone who will teach, develop and ensure that the team grows in areas such as skill enhancement.”
St Albans will host a Meet and Greet BBQ at Kings Park on December 8 at 6.30pm. Anyone who is interested in playing next season is encouraged to head along, with the club’s Junior Coordinating team, junior coaches and club president all in attendance.
For more information see the flyer below or visit their website.
Last Modified on 28/11/2016 11:17