Things have stepped up a level for South Morang’s women’s football team.
After winning the Victorian Women’s Football League division 4 premiership last season, the Lions face bigger challenges this year playing in division 2.
Lions’ coach Maurice Baldasso said the rise was a welcome challenge for his side.
“Because of the VFL women’s competition, division 2 is what was division 3 last year,” he said.
“We’re playing against a lot of the premier and VFL sides’ second teams this season and I think it’ll be a good challenge.
“We need more of a challenge after last season’s success … I think we could challenge for the top four.”
The Lions will face plenty of unknown opposition this season as they have previously played against only one other side in the division, Chirnside Park, which was also promoted last season.
The Lions won the last encounter between the two sides, defeating the Tigers in the division 4 semi finals.
Baldasso said there had been a good number of players at pre-season training, but the club was still looking for more players.
“We’re around the 26 players mark,” he said. “We lost a couple of girls but we’ve managed to gain some, too.
“A lot of them only stick around for two or three years because of other commitments.
“It would be nice to have between 30 and 40 players.”
Baldasso said there had been changes in the coaching set-up this season, with three coaches for the team.
“We’ve changed the training structure and stepped it up 90 per cent,” he said.
“There’s a lot more running and ball work.
“Now we’ve got three coaches there’s more variety and more voices.
“We’ve got more serious and the girls are learning so much more.”
The increased training will also see a more flexible Lions line-up.
“We’ve got more variety and we want to give them opportunities in new positions,” Baldasso said.
“You may find girls who are better suited to new positions.
“More confidence will make them more accomplished.”
Baldasso said the improved training would lead to more confidence for the players, but could also lead to players moving on to higher levels.
“With the new league [AFL women’s] I’ve told a few of the girls they should be trying out for teams,” he said.
“I think we have at least five girls who could make elite teams and play quite well.”
The Lions kick off the season on April 17, at home against another Lions side, Sunbury Lions.
Sunbury was also promoted in the off-season after going through 2012 unbeaten in the west division.
Anyone interested in playing for South Morang should contact coach Maurice Baldasso on 0438688199.
Tara Murray
