By Tara Murray
Craigieburn’s littlest female footballers are on cloud nine after claiming a premiership in their first season.
The Eagles under-13 girl’s side was able to turn the tables on Taylors Lakes in the Essendon District Football league division 2 decider.
The Lions had beaten the Eagles three times this year, including in a semi final.
Eagles assistant coach Nicole Hart said the whole team was so excited about getting the win.
The Eagles won, 2.2 (14)-0.1 (1) in difficult conditions.
“The girls didn’t belief in themselves at the start of the year,” she said.
“A lot doubted even playing, but the environment was amazing.
“I’ve never seen them play with so much heart as they did in the grand final.”
Maddison Albrecht was named best on ground, kicking the only two goals of the game.
Hart said just two of the 24 players had played football before this season and all had really developed their skills.
“It was all very new exciting ,” she said. “We couldn’t believe the skill level at the start.
“We lost to Taylors Lakes in the first game but we ended up beating them in the end.
“Regardless if we had won or lost the grand final, we were already winners.”
Hart and coach Natasha Konstantinidis, who are both part of the club’s women’s side, hope the success of the under-13 team will help grow the female program at Craigieburn.
This season they had an under-13 team and a women’s side, having previously also had under-18s.
Hart said next season they were hoping to have a full complement of female sides, having under-11’s, under-13’s, under-15’s, under-18’s and senior women.
Hart said they were looking for players for all age groups. The club is also looking for coaches to help coach the sides.
Anyone interested in playing or coaching can contact Margaret Perkins on 0402 078 188 or margperkins@hotmail.com.
