Seagulls welcome women keen to give footy a go

BARWON Heads’ female footy players will be focusing on three things this coming season – fun, fitness and football.

On the back of “Come and Try” training sessions held last month, director of women’s football Cam Don said a core group of passionate players were keen to give footy a go.

“The last four Wednesdays have been fantastic,” he said.

“The laughter, enthusiasm and positive energy has been sensational.”

Barwon Heads Football and Netball Club has a history of girls’ football, having first fielded a team back in 2007.

Over recent years, there has been a lot of effort that has been placed into the Junior Girls programs and in 2017, BHFNC fielded teams in U12, U15 and U19.

For 2018, BHFNC will be one of 10 clubs fielding an Open Women’s team – a milestone the club is pretty excited about.

Open women’s coach Angus Christian said his expectations for the season were that his team were going to have a lot of fun, were going to welcome a lot of people who were new to footy, and that they were going to get fit.

“We may even win a couple of games, but the focus will be on fun, fitness and football,” Christian said.

One of the newbies to the training was local Barwon Heads resident Sarah Shaw.

Shaw is not planning to play this season but attended training every week in February and is planning to keep coming out as the year progresses.

“My family has a deep history with Australian Rules Football so I’m wrapped that this opportunity is available for girls and women now,” Shaw said.

“The Wednesday sessions with the actual female footballers has been a whole lot of fun and there have been a few of us who have joined in.”

For new BHFNC president Tim Goddard, the establishment of the girls and women’s football program is in line with the broader club aspirations.

“Our purpose is to provide the best possible environment for members to experience a community sporting club promoting participation, achievement and contribution, and this is exactly what Cam and the team have done this year,” Goddard said.

“Building on the work done by others in the past who first established the girl’s footy program at BHFNC, this is a vital part of our club and our future.”

BHFNC is on a major recruitment drive – if you are a female interested in potentially giving football a try, then this might be the club for you.

For more information, email [email protected].