It may be early days but the formation of Roxburgh Park’s new girls’ football team already has players and parents smiling.
Half a dozen girls turned out for the side’s first training session two weeks ago and they are now trying to recruit their friends.
Wayne Capuano, previously the Magpies’ junior co-ordinator, has been given the role of setting up the team.
“I noticed a lot of other clubs were having girls teams,” Capuano said. “I suggested to the club we go down that path and they put me in charge.”
The club wants to play in the Essendon District Football League’s youth girls competition.
Kristy Dickson, who has played in the Victorian Women’s Football League, has been appointed coach.
“It was very positive and the girls are excited about it all,” Capuano said.
“They’re working on their friends to try to get a whole complement of players.”
Parents are already showing a good interest in the team.
“When the boys train, parents mostly drop them off and then come back to pick them up,” he said. “Now they stay and watch the girls train.”
The club will start with a youth girls side for players from 13-18, with the hope of expanding that in the future.
The EDFL is also making a big focus on girls’ football this season, with a promotional video online encouraging girls to get involved.
Burnside Heights, East Keilor and Northern Saints are also looking at establishing girls’ teams, with 13 clubs looking to field sides in the under-13 and/or youth girls competitions.
The youth girls competition normally plays on a Saturday morning.
For details call 0440016172 or go to www.essendondfl.com.au
