LADY HAWKS FLY Brooke’s footy career soars to great heights

DRYSDALE Lady Hawk Brooke Wells is continuing to kick goals in her footy career, after recently participating in her first VFLW game.

Brooke represented the Geelong Cats in a practice match against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval on February 24. Her story is unique and inspiring as her first ever game of Australian rules football was for the Drysdale Hawks in 2017.

The Lady Hawks played in the Goldfields league as there was no league\ around Geelong until 2018, when AFL Barwon put together a league of teams local to the Geelong region.

“Footy has become a huge part of my life,” Brooke said.

“I’ve always loved sport and admired elite athletes, and before footy I had pursued a few other sports, but the atmosphere around footy, particularly on match day is something completely new to me.”

Brooke said when she moved to Queenscliff at the start of 2016 she didn’t know anyone, but now she had a whole footy family and couldn’t be more grateful for that.

“The group at Drysdale has become a massive part of keeping footy fun for me,” she said.

“I look up to the people close to me, Prue Davies (captain), Stu Craven (head coach) and Laura Taylor, in particular.

“Prue’s incredible knowledge and passion in footy is something I really admire and strive for.

“She is also a great leader of our team and will always get us revved up to play.

“Laura, on the other hand, the way that she can balance VFLW footy, work and study in very impressive and something I struggle to do, so she is a great mentor and support for me.

“Stu is someone who has supported me from day one and has always never failed to advocate for women’s footy.”

The Drysdale Lady Hawks have begun their preseason training in preparation of the 2019 season, which will start in April.

Stuart Craven and Prue Davies are always on the lookout for new players and encourage anyone to come down and see how inclusive and enjoyable footy is at the Drysdale Football Club.

If you are keen to give footy a go, get to a training session on a Monday or Wednesday night at Stockdale & Leggo Oval, Belchers Road Drysdale from 6pm or phone Stuart on 0417 010 364.