By Tara Murray
There’s plenty of enthusiasm at Greenvale Football Club as the Jets prepare to field their first women’s football side.
The Jets have had junior girls sides the past few years, and this season will field a women’s side in the Essendon District Football League competition.
Coach Joe Gazzo said he was impressed with how things had been going so far.
“I didn’t have any expectations when I went into this,” he said. “I’ve been teaching people and enjoying doing it. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the sessions so far.
“I’m getting a thrill seeing the girls getting a kick.”
It’s Gazzo’s first foray into coaching, having spent nearly 25 years involved at the Jets.
He said he jumped at the opportunity when the Jets approached him to take on the coaching role.
“I had looked at coaching … the club asked me if I would be interested and I thought it would be a good place to start.
“The girls are like sponges. They want to learn and are willing to adapt to what I’m teaching them.
“We’re teaching the basic fundamentals.”
Gazzo said they had 15 or 16 committed players so far and were looking to attract more.
He encouraged players of any ability to join in.
Currently there is a mixture of experienced and new players and some who are returning to the sport.
The side is training with the under-18 girls side. Something Gazzo is keen to keep doing throughout the season to keep both programs on the same wavelength.
In a bonus for the Jets, upgrades at Greenvale Reserve have given the club some of the best facilities not only in the league, but in the region.
Gazzo said it would be hard to find better facilities to train at every week.
The EDFL women’s season is due to kick-off in the first week of April.
Gazzo said they didn’t know what to expect once the season started, but the club had set a few goals.
“We’re looking at getting into it and the girls are excited for the season.
“We’ll set some goals and hopefully win a few games, and we can tick things off as a group.”
Anyone interested in joining the women’s side can contact Joe on 0425 727 821
MORE EDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/keilors-coming-home/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/new-coach-for-burnside-heights-womens-side/
