Women’s footy kicks a goal

IN A game that has often left the female half of the population on the sideline, girls now have a growing opportunity to participate in Australia’s favourite game, AFL.
The general manager of the Dandenong District Junior Football League, Shaun Connell, says that women’s football has been a growth area.
“It’s grown massively since it started,” he said. “I see it as potentially becoming an increasingly popular sport for girls.”
April will mark the fifth year the Youth Girls football competition has operated in the Greater Dandenong area.
The Berwick team has been particularly strong and there are plans to increase the number of school-based teams such as the St Johns College team, the Dandenong Saints.
Mr Connell said the feedback had been good since the teams started. “Its all been positive and outstandingly well supported,” he said.
Mr Connell also hopes that the female sector of the sport will eventually grow to include interstate competition.
Girls aged 13 to 18 compete with modified rules such as shorter kicks and smaller teams to make the game more enjoyable.
– Madeline Prince