St John’s Regional College students, from left, Maddie, Jade, Lauren and Ashlee join PE teacher Matt Jones in helping promote the establishment of a women’s football team in 2009. By Callan Date
FOOTBALL is the hot topic among several young local students who are hoping to establish a team of their own in 2009.
But it’s not a traditional men’s team which officials at St John’s Regional College are hoping to get off the ground, but a women’s side following widespread interest in the game among Year 12 girls at the Dandenong school.
Terry McDonald and Matt Jones are leading the charge to help establish the team, which will play from Thomas Carroll Reserve in Doveton, and would be part of the St John’s Old Collegians Football Club. PE teacher Mr Jones said about 30 Year 12 girls were braving the cold conditions to train twice a week before their classes started at 9am.
Mr McDonald said the club was holding a meeting this Saturday afternoon at the Doveton clubrooms to gauge the level of interest from other young women in the area. He said the team hoped to compete in the South Eastern Conference of Victorian Women’s Football League.
“We want to embrace the area and if there are girls out there who feel like they are being left out and want a game of footy, we encourage them to come down,” Mr McDonald said. “It’s not just for young girls but any women looking for a game of footy next year.”
St John’s Old Collegians competes in the D3 section of the Victorian Amateur Football Association. Mr McDonald said the club had this year introduced a Colts team into the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League.
“The Colts have had about 26 to training each session and are doing really well in their first year,” he said. “The ‘Jocs’ will also hold a special recognition breakfast at 9am at the rooms on 7 June.
“All volunteers who gave service for a period of one or more seasons are invited to come and enjoy breakfast and watch the new under 18 team.”
The Colts will play at 10.30am.
Both the recognition breakfast and the meeting regarding the establishment of the women’s team, which starts at 1.30pm, will take place at Thomas Carroll Reserve, corner McCrae and Box streets, Doveton.
For more information contact Terry on 0402 344 415.
