Clyde footballer Ellie Keach is playing for the South Eastern Youth Girls squad at the MCG next Monday. 31732 Picture: Stewart ChambersBy Marc McGowan
YOU’LL have a hard time convincing Clyde footballer Ellie Keach that girls don’t have the same opportunities as boys in the sport.
The 17-year-old will step onto the hallowed turf of the MCG on Monday for the South Eastern Youth Girls squad in the AFL Victoria Metropolitan Junior Championships.
The match against the Western Youth Girls side is a curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between Melbourne and Collingwood.
Keach, who captains the Cranbourne Eagles in the South Eastern Youth Girls competition, is thrilled to have the chance to play on the same ground as her heroes.
“It’s amazing,” she beamed.
“One of my coaches said to me, ‘I’ve been playing for 20 years and haven’t made it that far’.”
The Year 12 St Peter’s College student only started playing competitively for the Cranbourne Eagles last season, but is wasting no time making an impact.
The centre-half-back/ruckman’s 2008 performances also earned her a spot in the Youth Girls Academy this year.
Keach and the 38 other academy members spend around three hours at Essendon’s Windy Hill every three weeks learning more about the on-field and off-field aspects of the game.
And the Essendon fan also gets the bonus of regularly interacting with Bombers young gun and Youth Girls Academy ambassador Angus Monfries.
Keach, who is also a talented basketballer and swimmer, has learnt plenty since being involved in the academy and feels it has further developed her leadership skills for Cranbourne.
“Being captain is a big responsibility for me and it’s grown me as a footballer because it’s an important role,” she said.
“I’m able to take back what I’m learning at academy to the girls at (Cranbourne) training.”
Cranbourne has been a big improver in this year’s Youth Girls competition – sitting fourth, only a game behind the first-placed Narre South Lions – in its second season.
Keach’s and her team-mates’ next goal is to help develop a senior Eagles team to compete in the Victorian Women’s Football League.
“We were looking at building a team for Cranbourne and it will probably happen next year because there are a few older girls interested in playing,” she said.
“If the team doesn’t get up, I’ll probably go play for Berwick.
“I’m 17 at the moment and I will be 18 next season, so I have one more season left in Youth Girls.
“But I’d love to be playing Youth Girls and the women’s league next year.”
Keach is also hoping to one day represent her state in the sport and thanks Cranbourne coaches Graham Conder and Patrick Clarke, who is now the team manager, for helping develop her skills.
The South Eastern Youth Girls team starts its campaign against Bendigo Youth Girls on Saturday at 10am at Bulleen Park.
