Sharks side aims to stay above water

A NUMBERS game has begun in St Leonards as a junior girls’ football side fights to stay alive through 2023.

Bellarine Sharks AFC is inviting junior female players aged 12 to 14, no matter their experience, to join its Under 14-15 team this season before the season start date in late April.

Sharks vice president and junior co-ordinator Jaren Fulwell confirmed the club will submit a team to Football Victoria today (Friday, March 3) and will continue to recruit players up until the first day of the season on April 23.

“We’ve always had a strong focus on our female sides in our program and we’ve always had the same number of female players, if not more, compared with our boys players,” Fulwell said.

“We don’t require any experience – if someone is keen to have a go, if they want to play, they are more than welcome to come down.

“If we can have solid numbers, I estimate 16 will be the target by the first game, we will be able to field our side and be in good stead for the rest of the season.”

There are presently nine “definites” ready to play for the junior female side next season, leaving seven spots up for grabs.

Senior Sharks player and mother of two Trudi Kyrou hoped one day that she will get to play alongside one of her daughters but feared that dream won’t become a reality should the club fold its only junior female side.

“I returned to soccer when they brought a women’s team here in St Leonards,” she said.

“For me, I want one day to play with my girls, after that I think I can happily retire from soccer. That’s where my drive is coming from.

“There are so many girls in that 14 to 15 year old age bracket, like my eldest daughter, that fall out of the sport at that age. That’s why this is so important. Some of these girls having been playing together since under 7s.”

To play junior football at the Bellarine Sharks in 2023, players are required to play a flat fee of $180 which will cover membership and the full uniform, excluding boots.

Either email the club at [email protected] or phone Jaren Fulwell at 0409 008 665 to find out more.

The club will also be hosting a come and try/registration day at Lake Reserve this Sunday, March 5 from 10am to noon.