Medieval team set to expand

A MEDIEVAL combat team based in regional Victoria’s west is getting ready to grow with a Bendigo chapter launching next month.

Established in Ballarat since 2017, the new Western Wolves’ team will train weekly at the Bendigo Showgrounds from Wednesday 15 November.

Ballarat women’s captain Molly Fry said the new chapter marks a much-needed expansion for the club.

“So many of our teammates are actually from out of Ballarat and around regional Victoria, about 60 per cent,” she said.

“We have a large number of members in Bendigo. We have about four or five very active members from there out of about 30-odd members now.

“This has been something we’ve been talking about for about half a year. It means we’re expanding more so we can offer more opportunities to regional members.”

The new chapter will be led by Wolves member and trainer Chris Fogwill who has been competing in the sport for about a decade.

With their furthest active member based in Shepparton, Fry said travel has been a barrier for new members in the past.

“Some people travel at least an hour to get to their training so it’s difficult especially for regular attendance from our regional members,” she said.

“Sometimes, they’ll have had a long day at work and the last thing they’d want to do is travel to a whole other town to do some sport.

“Our Bendigo members will have the option if they don’t want to travel to Ballarat.

“This chapter is to accommodate for more of our members living further than say Maryborough so they’ll have a closer option.

“If we grow big enough there might be the option to have separate teams at events, but competitively we’ll all be under the same team.”

To express interest in joining the Bendigo chapter, visit the Western Wolves’ Facebook page or call Fry on 0409 497 999.