Lady Hawks lead the way in women’s footy

TIME TO SOAR

DRYSDALE Football Club is paving the way for women’s football.

The inaugural Lady Hawks Senior Women’s team competed in the Goldfields league last year, and this season they are the only team from the Bellarine and Surf Coast region to have made Division 1 in the first AFL Barwon= Senior Women’s competition.

Drysdale Lady Hawks vice-captain and rookie player Lauren Martella said she was excited to see her team grow and challenge themselves in Division one.

“It’s definitely a reflection of the ground work the Drysdale Football Club has put into their women’s team.

“The professionalism and care the coaching staff and trainers have for us is amazing.”

She said that in 10 years’ time, it would be the norm for girls to play footy at a senior level.

“We’ll definitely see the skills develop over the next decade, with girl’s having the opportunity from day dot to have a kick of the footy,” she said.

“It’s exciting to know the Drysdale Football Club and the Lady Hawks are a part of that.”

The Drysdale U/15 girls’ team is also reaching new heights, with many players already standing out within the competition.

Under 15 girl’s coach and Lady Hawks captain Prue Davies said her team had exceeded her expectations and that she was looking forward to the future of women’s football at Drysdale.

“The girls have been fantastic.

“Everything I’ve been telling them they’ve taken on board and I’m really happy with how they’re going.

“There is so much support for each other and their efforts as a team have just been incredible.”

She said there was a growing interest of girls wanting to play AFL which was exciting; and not only play but really improve on their game.

“There is mateship on and off the field, and I think that’s a testament to being part of such a great club.”

The Drysdale Football Club is expanding their women’s side and looks forward to the future as a dominating force within the women’s divisions.