Senior women’s football boasts sportsmanship and friendship

New to the club and to football? We asked one of our senior women’s footballers to share her perspective on the first season of senior women’s football at BHFNC.

Barwon Heads was to be one of the inaugural teams in the new AFL Barwon senior women’s league. My eight-year-old twins, Aidan and Townes, couldn’t get me to training fast enough.

Footy was our thing.

Together we would watch and analyse and enjoy.

Plus we were new to the town, finding our way into a new footy club, a new community.

This was a great opportunity to meet people and get involved but could I actually play?

I could kick a footy well enough with the boys in the backyard but being skilful on the field was another
matter.

My boys had plenty to say about my first game – I had more fumbles than disposals.

Second time round coach, Angus Christian, sent me in off the bench yelling, “You’re on-ball!”

Ah, where is that exactly?

I soon learned, and plenty more besides.

Training was tough and the nights only got colder over the season.

My boys were often there rounding up the wayward balls and giving me plenty of pointers.

They’ve watched my teammates too – positive, strong, fun women who have grown into a tight-knit
group of friends.

Incredible women for my boys to admire – “Wow Mum, how far can Laney kick?”, “Did you see Ez’s tackle?”. And they’ve seen our sportsmanship – tough, physical games followed by handshakes and friendly banter. Over the last couple of weeks, we have been playing finals – a feat unimaginable during those early training sessions.

This Mum will be out there giving her all, for her team and her two biggest fans.

Brooke Doherty (Senior Football Player)