By David Nagel
Women’s football looks set to continue its staggering growth pattern of the last few years with the impending birth of the South Eastern Women’s Football League (SEWFL) in 2017.
A total of 25 clubs will field 32 teams across three divisions, setting the foundation for future success stories in the elite VFL and AFL Women’s competitions.
Established clubs in the South East such as Beaconsfield, Cranbourne, Endeavour Hills and Seaford will match motors in the top two divisions, while the real excitement will come at the base level of SEWFL where new clubs will bring a fresh look to the football landscape.
Division three – the South East Development League – will see clubs from as far and wide as the Bass Coast, Morwell East, Crib Point and Bunyip dip their toes into the competitive ranks for the very first time.
Officer SFC is also one such club and president Barry O’Loughlin said after a long build up the club was now looking forward to the start of the season on Saturday 6 May.
“It’s been a long process, but the numbers have stayed strong and the girls have really maintained their enthusiasm,” O’Loughlin said.
“It will be great to finally get it going, a great starting point for a concept that is going to get bigger and bigger as the years go by.
“It’s phenomenal what’s happening really, women’s football is already massive and you’d love to have a crystal ball to see where it will all end up.”
O’Loughlin said the growth of the senior competition would hopefully attract stronger numbers to the junior ranks.
“I know there have been some difficulties in attracting numbers in the juniors at some clubs, but this will filter down and clubs are going to get stronger and stronger,” he said.
“Some clubs like Cranbourne and Seaford are already fielding three senior sides and I can see the day -in two to three years’ time – where we’re doing the same.”
O’Loughlin said the implementation of women’s football had created a great atmosphere at the club.
“It’s always been about a one-club mentality for us, I’ve said that from the start, and that’s the way we’re approaching it,” he said.
“The girls get treated no differently to the boys. We share the duties around the club evenly and that’s the way it should be.”
COMPETING TEAMS IN SOUTH EASTERN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Chisolm SEWF Division 1
Cranbourne, Eastern Devils, Gippsland Maroons, Knox, Port Melbourne, Seaford, St Kilda Sharks.
MRC SEWF Division 2
Beaconsfield, Chirnside Park, Cranbourne, Eastern Devils, Edi-Asp, Endeavour Hills, Mornington, Red Hill, Seaford, St Kilda Sharks.
MRC SEWF South East Development
Bass Coast, Bunyip, Cerberus/Crib Point, Frankston Bombers, Frankston Dolphins, Gippsland Maroons, Hastings, Karingal, Mornington, Morwell East, Officer, Pearcedale, Seaford, Tyabb, Warragul.
