Women’s footy developing in Darley

YOUNG girls from Bacchus Marsh looking to make their way in the growing world of women’s football are receiving expert coaching and tips from Darley Football Netball Club leaders.

Now in its third year, a six-week clinic series under the banner of the Darley Junior Football Netball Club got under way in mid-October and is running weekly until Tuesday 26 November.

It is being headed up by the club’s senior women’s co-coach Emmerson Hitch, who has just been appointed head coach of the Western Jets girls under-16 coach, with help from her development team, Lilli Condon and Chloe Oughtred.

The clinic series, which is free, received a visit from AFLW Collingwood’s Melissa Kuys on its second night.

Kuys is a current VFLW player and captains the Port Melbourne Football Club, while leading its girls development program.

The series is divided into two groups – the first with prospective players aged from eight to 14, and the second for players aged 15 to 19 with a focus on development.

Registrations are being captured each week and Darley junior club committee members are present each night to help with questions.

More information is available by emailing Danielle Dale at [email protected].

Clinic sessions are being held at the Darley Hub every Tuesday from 5.30pm, with participants to wear runners rather than football boots and whatever outfit they want to wear.

Hitch was part of the team that took Darley to the 2024 Ballarat Football League Women senior premiership in September.

Condon won the BFLW best and fairest award this season and is a former Greater Western Victoria Rebels captain. She also played for the Western Bulldogs VFLW side in 2022.

Oughtred was the GWV Rebels vice-captain in 2023 and this year held the position of co-captain with Darley.