By Tara Murray
Tullamarine has been shocked with the level of interest in its women’s football team.
The Demons fielded an under-18 team last year and decided to get a women’s team together as part of a plan to expand their female presence in the Essendon District Football League.
The amount of interest in playing in the team has already exceeded coach Anthony Montrose’s expectations.
He said there had been some interest to set up the side for a few years.
“I thought we would have about 10 players at this time of the year,” he said. “We’ve already got enough players to definitely have a team and we are well ahead of schedule.
“We’ve had a few pick-ups and have quite a few young girls. There’s a few in the early and mid 20s and a few older players.
“We’ve got some mums whose kids play at the club and they are getting involved too.”
Montrose said some joining the club were players of family members who had been playing elsewhere because there was no team at Tullamarine.
Two of those are Tricia and Bianca Devine,who come across from Roxburgh Park.
Tricia, who was named in the EDFL team of the year last year, has been named the Demons’ captain and her sister vice-captain.
Montrose said the two had already had an impact at the club and are working hard to get the team up and running.
The side has played a practice match against Coburg Districts and has another two matches lined up. The second of those against Kangaroo Flat will coincide with a pre-season trip away.
Montrose, who has been coaching for 10 years, said he enjoyed coaching women and what they bring to the sport.
“I wasn’t an advocate for women’s football to start with,” he said. “[But] My daughters started playing and I was drawn to it pretty quickly.
“It has rejuvenated me and I want to give something back. The girls are eager to learn.
“It’s about teaching the basics … I want to bring across some of the things from men’s football.”
The Demons are looking to again have under-18s this season and want to field an under-15 side for the first time.
Montrose said they had enough numbers for the under-18s but only had 14 players for the under-15 team.
“There’s some good signs with the talent coming through.”
Montrose said they were still looking for players for all three of their female sides.
Anyone interested in playing with the women’s side can contact Anthony on 0421 303 172.
Anyone interested in playing in the girls teams can contact Fiona on 0430 338 305.
