By Roy Ward
HALLAM Senior College won its third-straight School Sport Victoria girls’ football state title at Victoria Park last Wednesday.
Hallam beat out Mill Park Secondary College and Ballarat High School last Wednesday to claim the title and in the process win its 33rd straight game since beginning its elite girls’ football program three years ago.
Hallam beat Mill Park by 36 points in their opening game. They then faced Ballarat in the final and kept their opponents scoreless in the first half to take a match-winning lead, eventually winning by 35 points.
Roughly half of Hallam’s side has played in all three flags and Hallam coach Brett Alexander praised his players for their achievements.
“When new girls come into the program now, we get questions about our success and when I tell parents we have won 33 straight games you realise its significance.”
Hallam was again led by Ellie Blackburn. Danielle Hardiman, Lauren Hutchinson, Cassandra Meads, Brittany Wood, Lauren Hojnacki, Cherie Tamanalevu, Chloe McMillan, Ebony Hobson and Kirsten McLeod were consistent performers on the day.
Under Alexander, Hallam pioneered its elite girls’ football program three years ago and while their early wins were seen as a “fait accompli”, Alexander said this year’s side faced its toughest test yet.
“Each year the victory margins are getting smaller,” he said. “Some people were saying these matches are a formality for us but that is never the case and the girls never think that way because if you let your guard down someone will take it.”
Alexander also said he had spoken at length with teachers from other schools who were interested in setting up their own girls’ football programs.
While Hallam will take its record into next year, it will do so without almost half its record-setting side because at least nine players are in year 12 this year.
“Next year will be different but that is the challenge of coaching and I’m already looking forward to it,” Alexander said.
The Hallam college girls travel to Queensland this Sunday to play four Queensland schools in a round-robin on Monday, then lead some primary school clinics on Tuesday.
