Girls make the cut

By Marc McGowan
THE Victorian under-19 women’s Australian Rules side looks set to have a strong local presence after 13 players were selected from the Narre Warren and Hallam junior football clubs.
The teenagers had their first training session on Monday at Optus Oval as they strive to make the cut for the squad.
Alana Metcalfe, 17, Emma Champion, 17, Jayde Bainbridge, 17, Kara Donnellan, 15, Abby Walker, 15, and sisters Hayley and Tayla Gasparini, 16 and 14 respectively, are Narre Warren’s selections.
Narre Warren under-18 girls’ team manager Robyn Gasparini, who is the mother of Hayley and Tayla, is immensely proud of the seven players.
“They’ve been with the Magpies for two years, but this is the first time it’s happened, so it’s a pretty big deal for them,” she said.
“They were measured for jumpers and shorts, got a spiel, and then had the training session.
“They were paired off with players they don’t know, which was a bit panicky for some of them.”
Hallam’s representatives are Naomi Bloxidge, 17, Brooke Dabrowski, 17, Alicia Heins, 17, Kristy Borg, 16, Chloe Peers, 16, and Lauren Chalkley, 15.
Hallam Junior Football Club secretary Michelle Neve is also enthused about her club’s opportunity to receive such a prestigious honour.
“It is very exciting to have the girls selected for that type of event,” she said.
“The girls have worked extremely hard this year and last year and now they’re getting the rewards.”