Girls fly to top division

By Brad Kingsbury
BERWICK has been promoted to premier division of the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) for the 2007 season.
This division is the best standard of women’s football in Australia and the Wickers have earned the right to compete at the top level after snaring two lower-grade premierships in its three-year history.
The side won the 2004 third division flag in its inaugural season of competition, over-running Corio, and was then runners up to a strong Lalor side in division two in 2005.
The Wickers went one better last year, playing in the South East Division, dominating the division all year and taking out the flag with a comprehensive 64-point thrashing of the Eastern Gully Lions.
The Wickers will field two teams in 2007, a senior and reserves team and they will compete against the fittest, most talented and skilled women footballers in the country.
Berwick has appointed Daniel Charles (husband of star Wicker on-baller Cherie) as its senior coach for 2007, with current Berwick senior men’s coach and ex-Geelong and Adelaide AFL player Ronnie Burns as a skills coach.
VWFL president Debbie Lee congratulated Berwick on its success and said the promotion was well-deserved.
“Berwick have been a powerhouse during their first three years in the league. It is a great reward and challenge for them now to step up to the premier division,” she said.
In relation to the growth and development of women’s football, Ms Lee was very enthusiastic.
“Women’s football in Victoria is growing at a phenomenal rate,” she said.
“There is now more mainstream acceptance of women’s footy as a legitimate sport for girls and women. The VWFL is working very hard to foster and develop women playing football and we are actively planning now to cater for enormous growth in the future.”
The VWFL consists of 29 teams, representing 21 clubs, with more than 1000 playing members and a total membership base of 1500.
VWFL competition structure – 2007
Premier division (seniors and reserves): Berwick Wickers, Darebin Falcons, Deakin Devils, Diamond Creek Demons, Melbourne Uni Mugars, Parkdale Vultures, St Albans Spurs, St Kilda Sharks.
South East division: Eastern Lions, Parkmore Pirates, South Mornington Tigers, Surrey Park Panthers, Yarra Valley Cougars.
North West division: Hadfield Hawks, Heidelberg Tigers, Lalor Bloods, Melbourne Uni Mugars, Sunbury Lions.
Country division: Braybrook Bombers, Corio Devils, Melton Super Girls, North Ballarat Roosters, North Shore Seagulls.