#FFWVic: Stories from our community

Stingrays finally get their first Womens team

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In 2018, the Aspendale Stingrays were approached by a couple of the club's mums interested in trying some social soccer amongst themselves.

The club was not able to get the numbers to make this work that year but with some perseverance, they managed to find enough women from the club interested in having a social kick the following year. None of these women had ever played before and for most it was a means to gaining an understanding of the game their kids were playing but which they knew little about.

The first social kick was in early March 2019 and within a month the group had grown to over 12 regulars each week. Confidence grew in their own ability and they asked the club whether there was any suitable social competition they could try out. The Stingrays managed to get them registered with the Women's Metro Sevens Masters competition and this group became the clubs inaugural Women's team which is a proud achievement for the club.

Only 2 months earlier, they were a group of women kicking a soccer ball for the first time and now they were playing as a team in a competition. For most, it was the first time they had registered in any team sport let alone soccer so it was a big milestone for them. It showed that it doesn't matter on your age or experience, soccer can provide anyone the opportunity to get involved.

Each day during Female Football Week, Sale United Football Club is going to bring you a football profile on a female that is involved at the Club. 

DAY 6 FFW PROFILE: Hollie Ryan

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Hollie is a prime example of a female player who loves football. She lives it and she breathes it. She is inspirational to watch on the field and is very skilful as her star qualities shine through. Hollie has represented Victoria at the Australian National Championships and is definitely a player of the future.
 

WHEN DID YOU START BEING INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL AND WHY?

I was seven years old. I did want to do ballet at first but luckily my brother made soccer look pretty cool, so I started small sided in 2011.
 

WHAT FAMILY DO YOU HAVE THAT ARE INVOLVED AT THE CLUB?

I am currently the only person in my family at SUFC, though I would count the many that have watched and supported my games as a part of the community. Josh had obviously been a part of the club, playing from the junior to senior league before converting to “AFL-ism” this year. My mum, Trudy, has been a team manager and also coached in the twilight tournament.
 

WHEN YOU STARTED AT SUFC WHAT ROLES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN?

I’ve played for Sale United for the past eight years, from small sided to juniors and now to the women’s team. I’ve been a twilight soccer referee and small sided referee with encouragement.
 

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AT THE CLUB?

Well, soccer is just my sport. I just can’t turn back now that I know how to play and love it so much. I love having something to strive to be good at and keep learning and improving. Also, if anyone knows me, you’ll know I’m not the most sociable person. I started at the club as a VERY shy little girl. I was the annoying kid that cried all the time. But as my confidence increased, I cried less, talked more, and became a better person. I’m still improving thanks to soccer and its community. SUFC has provided great social and sporting opportunities for me and I really just couldn’t give up soccer now after what it’s done for me.
 

PLAYING WISE – CLUBS AND LEVELS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT ANYWHERE:

-Sale United F.C. Juniors to Women’s – 2011 through to 2019
-LVSL Representative Squad - Victorian Country Championship 2016-2018
-LVSL Representative Squad - Merimbula comp 2016-2017.
-Victorian State Representative at Australian National Championships 2016
 

WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL VISION FOR FEMALE FOOTBALL IN SALE AS WELL AS BEYOND?

I really hope for a big future for local females in this sport. I believe more people need to start pushing girls harder alongside the boys from earlier on, as to me it seems like they haven't had opportunities to show their full potential. I have met so many talented girls throughout my time playing for squads with great skills. The closer to Melbourne you go, I find the less male-dominated the sport is. The quality between male and female leagues there would make for a great game between the two. That’s made me see just how great it could become here with local soccer. It’s great to see that change is already well on its way. With experienced players coaching and passing on their knowledge and skills. Really pushing the teams to improve with every training session and game. So, with correct methods, the participation and quality will only improve.

DAY 5 FFW PROFILE: Isobel Dunn

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Isobel is an exciting youth player in our Womens team. She works hard for her team on the field and our Club off the field. Isobel enjoys running the line and shows promise in the referee side of things as well. She volunteers her time to do any job that needs doing and is a great asset for our Club. We are indeed very lucky to have Izzy at SUFC.
 

WHEN DID YOU START BEING INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL AND WHY?

I started to become involved with soccer in 2016 as my brother Kyon Dunn started playing soccer for SUFC. From my brother loving the sport, as a family we then went and watched a match at the MCG (which was Atletico Madrid & Tottenham). I remember after that match thinking how much I loved the energy of that sport, so straight away I asked to play soccer for the same club as my brother. I started playing the following season (2017).
 

WHAT FAMILY DO YOU HAVE THAT ARE INVOLVED AT THE CLUB?

My brother, Kyon, plays for Sale and my dad and mum are always happy to marshal for any games they watch. Kyon is definitely a big factor into why I joined soccer in the first place as I could see how much he loved the sport and the club and that inspired me to join.
 

WHEN YOU STARTED AT SUFC WHAT ROLES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN?

This is my third year as a Sale United Women’s team player. I’m not only a player at my beloved club but I also am a linesman for the junior teams. I like to referee too so I ref at the club in the under 10 & 8 games as well as during the twilight soccer tournament. I love helping out so I will wash the womens team strips and help the lovely canteen lady whenever she’d like, I also like helping loz out because she is one of the hardest working ladies I have ever met! (so she definitely needs an extra hand sometimes haha)
 

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AT THE CLUB?

I love being at the club. I can’t even explain how much the club has given to me. It has given me friends for life and a bond with the sport soccer. Everyone at Sale United should be incredibly proud of the type of environment they have created. When I first joined soccer at the club I was so scared as heck as I had to join the woman’s competition in my first ever season. However, this fear changed within a training session. The ladies made me feel at home as they were so welcoming and sweet my first coach, Nick, was very kind and patient and answered all of my 5000 questions about the sport haha. Both him and the girls made it the best first season of soccer. Because of this I want to give back as much as I can to the club!
 

WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL VISION FOR FEMALE FOOTBALL IN SALE AS WELL AS BEYOND?

I can’t even explain to you how important I find female football. But not just females playing soccer - in general I find it important that females try out any sport they find interesting and to not be afraid to join their local sport community. Sporting clubs not only benefit an individuals physical health but their mental and social health too as sporting clubs can create a safe and caring environment for heaps of people. It’s so important to empower woman to join sport!! No one should ever feel like they can’t try out a sport.
 

PLAYING WISE – CLUBS AND LEVELS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT ANYWHERE:

The one and only club I have played for is Sale United Football Club. I have played in the senior woman’s team from 2017 to now. I have also played a few games for the under 16 girls when they needed extra players. I’m so happy to see that Sale United have enough girls to have a whole u16 team to participate in the sport. Those girls are guns and are sure making Sale United proud! I can’t wait to join those girls on the pitch again when they become senior players too!!! Keep it up girls you’re doing great!!
In 2017 I won the award for Most Improved Player 🙂
Amazing!

DAY 4 FFW PROFILE: Madeleine Forbes

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Madeleine is our Assistant Coach of the Womens Team. She is another top-quality player that our club is very fortunate to have playing for. She has played at the highest level in the Premier League in the ACT and is a great role model for all our female players from Miniroos up.
 

WHEN DID YOU START BEING INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL AND WHY?

I first played soccer as an U7 playing in my brother's boys team in Canberra. Having watched my two brothers play from U5, I grew competitive (and restless on the sideline) and wanted to join in. I played with my brother's team for 6 years before moving to a female team at U13. I enjoy playing many sports but have found soccer is one that I love and keep coming back to! I have played both indoor and outdoor for the past 22 years, and was a futsal referee as a teenager.
 

WHAT FAMILY DO YOU HAVE THAT ARE INVOLVED AT THE CLUB?

My husband Sam is playing his first season at SUFC this year in the Men's 2nd Division team.
 

WHEN YOU STARTED AT SUFC WHAT ROLES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN?

I moved to Sale in 2016 and joined the Women's side for the 2017 season. I had last year off, but am back playing this year and will be assisting Coach Maddi Breakspear when her baby arrives later this month. I love how welcoming SUFC and all the girls have been since I first started at the club. I found it was a lovely place to make friends and become a part of the community when I moved here.
 

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AT THE CLUB?

I really love meeting new people, forming new friendships and contributing my bit to help build a supportive and welcoming soccer community!

PLAYING WISE – CLUBS AND LEVELS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT ANYWHERE:
- SUFC Women's (2017, 2019)
- Sale indoor soccer (2016-2019) - mixed/men's teams
- Women's State League - Gungahlin United (2013-2015)
- ACT Women's Premier League: - Canberra FC (2008),
- Belconnen United (2009-2010) and Canberra City FC (2006-2007)
- ACT Futsal Nationals Team (u14)
- Belnorth FC (u7-u13), Belwest FC (u14), Belsouth FC (u15)
- Plus Futsal over the Summers
 

WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL VISION FOR FEMALE FOOTBALL IN SALE AS WELL AS BEYOND?

It is my hope that female participation in football will increase as the club grows and that SUFC continues to provide a culture that encompasses and encourages female participation and supports female leaders. I hope that females are seen as valued and skilled players - equal to a male team or a male player. Gender equality is important, and we can instil those values in our youth from a grass roots community group. It is great to be a part of a club that promotes this.

 

DAY 3 FFW PROFILE: Laurel Irvine

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Laurel is a superstar at our Club. She started as a volunteer team manager to her sons’ team back in 2008 and in the past four years has gone on to be one of the most valued assets of SUFC. Not a day doesn’t go by that Laurel has not given up her time and energy in organising and running the day-to-day activities. She always has a smile on her face and is one of the most positive people you could meet. In between co-ordinating the juniors and running match days she puts on her kit and plays for the Sale Womens team. Laurel is an advocate for the Female side of football and has attended Women In Football Forums for the past few years. Our club is indebted to her for the role she has played in ensuring womens/girls football in Sale not only continued but has a future.
 

WHEN DID YOU START BEING INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL AND WHY?

I got involved in football (soccer) as I have three boys and they were trying different sports at the time.
 

WHAT FAMILY DO YOU HAVE THAT ARE INVOLVED AT THE CLUB?

My husband Cameron joined the committee in 2015 and fell into the role of handyman for the club. He became the treasurer in 2016 and started playing for the first time in 2017.
Two of my son's still play. Mace in U16's and Dane into the Senior ranks. They both help with setting up and refereeing Miniroo small sided football games and the Twilight summer completion.

WHEN YOU STARTED AT SUFC WHAT ROLES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN?

I started in 2008 at the club. My eldest boy was 7 turning 8 that year. He joined the U10's team, full pitch, competitive games. I put my hand up to help, and assisted Emma Manning with the Team Manager position.
I was then Team Manager for one or another of my son's teams for the next seven years, as well as coaching their Twilight School teams from Bundalaguah Primary. I had played many team sports myself, since the age of 8yrs, but not football (Soccer) at this stage.
In 2015 I joined the committee and became Junior Coordinator for the club in Feb of that year, as well as still being Team Manager for one of my boys’ teams. During the Summer, term four, I also run, with help, the School Twilight soccer competition.
In 2016 I wanted somewhere for our upcoming Junior girls to continue their game and was the catalyst to getting a Women's team back at the club after a year’s absence. With help we achieved this in a week and a half before season kick off that year.
This is where I took the pitch for the first time at the crazy age of 45yrs to help with numbers. I also took on the role of the Women's Team Manager. As well as continuing with the Junior Coordinator role and running the Twilight comp.
2019 is a continuation of all roles and still playing this great game.
 

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AT THE CLUB?

I like helping. The more helpers the less burden on one or two, and we are all members of this great club with lots of support for each other.
 

PLAYING WISE – CLUBS AND LEVELS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT ANYWHERE:

I have played team sport since the age of 8yrs. Many different codes. Sale United FC is the first club I have played Football (soccer) at.
 

WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL VISION FOR FEMALE FOOTBALL IN SALE AS WELL AS BEYOND?

To get girls/ women into leadership roles. To promote women in sport and keep pushing our League to do the same. Whether it be mixed gender games or girls only. From Miniroo U10’s, to move into an U13 girls’ team then onto U16s and from there, Women's football.

 

DAY 2 FFW PROFILE: Anouk Meereboer

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Anouk is one of the most experienced and quality footballers at our Club having played the game for 22 years. She is a standout on the football field and is a great role model. Anouk is also an excellent coach and gives back to the sport as much as she can. She has completed coaching certificates and has coached in the Skills Acquisition Program in Gippsland, coached the Southern United u13 girls’ team in the National Premier League and this year coaches not only the U13/14 girls at Gippsland FC but has taken on a coaching role with one of our U16 boys’ teams. Her dedication and commitment to football is outstanding.
 

WHEN DID YOU START BEING INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL AND WHY?

I started being involved in football from the age of 8-9 because my family was always playing soccer in our backyard. Then the local soccer club started with a junior team that I joined.
 

WHEN YOU STARTED AT SUFC WHAT ROLES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN?

I started really being involved in SUFC since the start of this year. My partner, Cal, has been involved since his junior years, but I just made the change from playing in the Melbourne league to the local league. I play in the senior women’s team and co-coach the under 16 boys’ White team.
 

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AT THE CLUB?

I love what I do at the club, because I see the major improvements that the kids go through by being coached properly. Especially in their knowledge of the soccer game as well as gaining social qualities with playing in a team. This knowledge and qualities they will take with them in their future lives, if it’s in soccer itself, playing in the senior teams or in their job careers.
 

PLAYING WISE – CLUBS AND LEVELS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT ANYWHERE:

I’ve played in the Netherlands in the second highest women’s league and also played in South America. In Australia I have played in the Victorian Women’s Premier League with Box Hill United Soccer Club before transferring to Southern United Football Club in it’s inaugural National Premier League season 2016. Two years later I returned to Box Hill to complete the 2018 NPL season and now this year I am playing with Sale United women’s team.
 

WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL VISION FOR FEMALE FOOTBALL IN SALE AS WELL AS BEYOND?

I believe Sale has a lot of potential with female soccer. There are some great examples as Maddi Breakspear being Senior Women’s coach and have played on NPL level.
I believe we need to start getting girls involved in the game of soccer at an early age. We should promote girls’ soccer from the age of 5 year. How more girls are getting involved at a younger age, the quality of the girls will improve heaps and it will attract more girls in the sport in general.
Further with having Gippsland FC as a hub for local superstars, there is a massive potential for Gippsland girls to reach the big stage of NPL and beyond, W-League and Matildas. Having this opportunity for local girls to be trained and play on a higher level with reduced travel of not needing to go to Melbourne 3 to 4 times a week, is a massive jumping step for them to reach the higher levels in soccer.

DAY 1 FFW PROFILE: Madelaine Breakspear

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PHOTO CREDIT: BTWL
MADELAINE BREAKSPEAR (nee Richardson)

Maddi is our Senior Womens Coach 2019. She has played football for 23 years and has been Captain for many representative teams. She has also won a lot of awards including being named in the 2016 National Premier League ‘Team Of The Year’. Maddi has had the privilege of being asked to attend a training session with some of the Socceroos before a World Cup and was selected as a Queens Baton Relay Runner for the Commonwealth Games due to her Football success.
 

WHEN DID YOU START BEING INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL AND WHY?

I started playing football at the age of 4 for Sale City Soccer Club. The soccer club was like a second home for my family with both parents being heavily involved. My brother, Chris, was a huge influence in getting me to play and pushing me to want to beat the boys.
 

WHEN YOU STARTED AT SUFC WHAT ROLES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN?

In a playing capacity I played for Sale from 4 years old through to u16s in the boys’ teams. I even played for the Reserves men competition as an 18-year-old while I was at the NTC. I used to also help volunteer as a referee for inter-school competitions and the school Twilight competition for many years. I coached the first under 14 female team in 2010. After playing the last eight years in the National Premier League I have returned back to where it all started to continue to work on my coaching with the Senior Women’s team.
 

WHAT FAMILY DO YOU HAVE THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AT THE CLUB?

Both of my parents, Grant and Darleen, are life members of the club. My older brother, Chris, was the senior goalkeeper for many years and my younger brother Jake played his entire junior career at the club. At one point all of us were involved in the club either playing or committee members – even my sister, Ashleigh! After teaching him how to kick a ball, my husband Tom, also began playing for the Second Division men’s team. This year my 5yo niece, Ava, has just joined the Aldi Miniroos.
 

WHY YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AT THE CLUB

I am loving coaching the Senior Women’s team this season. Being pregnant (due this month) I am unable to play so being able to still be involved in the sport in some way has allowed me to keep sane and show others how passionate I am about soccer. It has been great to see the progression that the girls have made already since preseason started and how willing they are to learn more about the game. Though I haven’t had much experience with coaching I feel like I am learning along the way and will keep trying to better myself in order to pass on what I have learned from my past coaches.
 

PLAYING WISE - CLUBS AND LEVELS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT ANYWHERE

-Sale United Football Club – Junior And Senior Level -15 years.
-Gippsland Representative – U/12 Through To Women -8 years for Country Championships, Vic Academy, State League, Premier league & Vic Summer League.
-Victorian State Representative – Nationals – Primary School State Team (2 Years), U/14 (2 Years), U/15 & U/17 plus Womens Select Team.
-FFA National Training Centre/Victorian Institute Of Sport – 5 Years
-Futsal Victorian State Representative – Nationals – 3 Years
-Singapore Tour – State Rep Team V U/19 Singapore National Team & Women’s National Team
-United Kingdom Tour – Queensland Rep Team V Various English And Scottish Premier League Clubs
-Box Hill United Womens Team– National Premier League 2011-2018
 

WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL VISION FOR FEMALE FOOTBALL IN SALE AS WELL AS BEYOND:

So far it is amazing to see the growth of female football in the area with our Senior Women’s team and our junior girls’ team at the club. I would love to see more girls getting involved in the sport and most importantly being confident when they play.

Sage Kelly 

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I was 9 when I started playing soccer and we were the first all girls miniroos team at the club, I was quiet, shy and got bullied at school, but as I improved in my game I also became more confident and last year I finally got the courage to stick up for myself when I was getting bullied at school and it felt great. Playing soccer hasn’t just given me more confidence around people, I have finally found my voice and I can now stick up for myself and anyone else who is shy like I was.

I am now in my 5th year of playing and have been chosen by my teammates as the captain because I am the loudest and most supportive player in the team. Without this beautiful game that I love so much I would probably be that shy little girl who tried to fade into the background instead of the strong, brave girl I am today! Thank you football. 💜 Sage Kelly U14 girls 💜

From Paul Tucker: FC Bulleen & Collingwood

At the start of the 2016 season my three football mad daughters (now aged 13, 11 & 9) started a charity initiative called "We Give a Boot". The aim of "We Give a Boot" is to collect used soccer boots in good condition to donate to those who are less fortunate than us & who just want to play our beautiful game. We Give a Boot runs the collection process and then delivers the boots to established charity partners who ensure the boots are delivered across Australia, the South Pacific, Asia and Africa to those in most need.

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By way of background so far We Give a Boot has collected a total of:

· 1,650 pairs of boots
· 132 soccer balls
· 45 pairs of shin pads
· 105 pairs of goalie gloves.

Once the girls have received the donated boots from various clubs they then clean them up (if needed), list the sizes and then send them to either:

- The ASRC (Asylum Seekers Resource Centre) in Footscray who have a soccer program for adults & children refugees and those seeking asylum in Australia that encourages via structured training and games to help them settle and create a new community & life here.
- The Reagan Milstein Foundation who distribute sporting equipment of all types to beneficiaries being kids and adults alike in parts of Africa, the South Pacific (islands like Fiji, Tonga and The Solomon Islands), and also to local clubs with players who can't afford boots
- Their Beautiful Game, who provide boots to Aboriginal communities across Australia as well as via their partners in parts of Asia (India and Cambodia) as well as Africa in countries such as Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania & Togo

In 2019 more and more clubs are collecting boots for We Give a Boot to pass on to those in need!

From a captains eye; empowered women empower women.

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Whilst this story began 10+ years ago with small group of young girls, 2018 was a pinnacle for change for Womens football at our club and in our community.
With good intention, our coach was let go by the board at the beginning of the 2018 season. Despite league promotion, his commitment and development of players over the previous 3 years and without consultation of team members (both players and committee members).


Our girls fearlessly banded together to appeal for his role be reinstated, as we felt this decision was not in our best interest and that we had the right to have a say in our future and in the decisions that effected our opportunity to compete. Following several discussions, our coach was reappointed, and it was at this point that the magic happened.


Our team was empowered, we were stronger and more confident. Most importantly we were taking full responsibility for our purpose; what we were here to do was profound. This was more than football, it was more than winning or losing. This was about what we were creating and what we were standing up for. We are a group of women with a purpose. We have a legitimate voice and a right to unrestricted existence with genuine club/community support and full recognition for what we achieve (if only we knew what was in store for us).


They say purpose fuels passion; well I can confirm that this couldn’t be more accurate.


Our revived purpose created an inconceivable passion for success. As if success would serve as our middle finger to those who had doubted our aptitude for the game or our right to exist equally as footballers, irrespective of our gender. We matter! Not because men don’t, but because we all do.We had empowered one another to empower our club (men and women) to abandon the fabricated notion that women weren’t born to play football and that our capability was in some way limited, therefore requiring less than that of our male counterparts. Historically, symbolic support as a form of political correctness was ‘enough’ to keep us quiet; this was no longer acceptable. We were empowered to demand that support for our Womens team had to be tangible, consistent and sincere – this was the only way forward.
In my mind, playing football was the only time I had felt being female was a disadvantage.


Upon reflection, I was ashamed for accepting that we were less worthy because we were girls. I would find myself saying quietly ‘This is just part of the process right. I mean most girls don’t play football, it’s a new thing, eventually this will change’. No! We had to be the change we wanted to see. This was not part of any process, other than buried gender discrimination. With our heads held high, fire in our belly and an unrelenting desire for success we embarked on the season. Having, zero sponsorship, one coach, limited access to facilities, equipment and a player/manger, we went through the 2018 season undefeated and finished the league in second place. This achievement awarded us promotion into State League One South East for the 2019 season. In addition to this, one of our youngest players won the golden boot for the league – talk about empowered to achieve.


Fast forward to this season, we have two full teams, two committed coaches and five Senior Women club sponsors. Our Senior Women teams have been competing in Female uniforms for the first time in the history of our club, with our club name and logo updated to be more inclusive.Notably this marks the first season our Senior Womens teams will compete without a Junior logo on our uniform, and instead North Caulfield Womens FC. We remain the most successful team at our club and continue to push the boundaries of success, as we empower the new generation of female footballers. In addition, we have established a leadership group, a Womens team committee and have female team members who sit on the board.


We now know our worth and will not accept anything less than what we deserve. This group of women is here to play football at the highest level, with a professional, committed and competitive attitude. If you didn’t believe in us then, surely you believe in us now?

Jeannie Susser
Team Captain of the North Caulfield Womens FC

First Woman’s Support Coordinator

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Our club appointed our first Woman’s Support Co-ordinator. Joella role is to support mentally, emotionally & proactively our female players. Particularly girls who are transitioning during a challenging time in their young lives. We are always on the lookout for female coaches so in the interim as much as supporting the girls , Joella is educating our male coaches on different approaches to dealing with situations they are not trained in handling in.