2015 will not only see a dramatic increase of female participation through EFL Netball, it will also see the birth of the league’s first female only football divisions.
In a joint venture between the Eastern Football League and the Yarra Valley Mountain District League, this season will see 12 teams compete across two age groups.
Meaning over 200 will girls compete in an organised football competition in the eastern region of Melbourne for the first time.
Both the Under 12 and Under 16 competitions will be made up of six sides, with a total of seven clubs represented.
The Yarra Valley will manage the Under 12’s competition, whilst the EFL will manage the Under 16 girls.
EFL Game Development Manager Aaron Bailey is excited about filling the void of Girls Football in the east, “This has been a collaborative approach between both leagues to ensure that the competition became a reality. “We identified last year in feasibility studies that in the infancy of the competition, a uniformed approach between both leagues gave us the most chance of successfully getting the competition off the ground.”
Both competitions have engaged the services of a Girls Football Administrator Emily McKie, who will work between both competitions in the development and management of the competition.
Bailey says that Emily’s role will have a significant focus on continuing the growth of the competition in 2016 “Already her work in schools and promotions across the region is paying dividends. “We have identified key areas moving forward we believe can benefit from and sustain girl’s teams in the future.”
Bailey believes this is just the tip of the iceberg for girl’s football in the East stating, “It was extremely important for us to establish the foundations of the competition this year, which we have been successful in doing. “We are hopeful this will be a stepping stone for these competitions to develop significantly in the near future. Our aim is to have a thriving competition in the 12, 15 and 18 age brackets by 2017. It is something we believe is very possible and would be a fantastic development for both leagues. It is the fastest growing segment in AFL football and one that we are committed to.”
The Under 16 girls kick off this week with a lightning premiership at Lewis Road, before the season proper begins in earnest next week.
The under 12 girls begin in a fortnight with a lightning premiership under lights at Mt Evelyn.
Both competition will then parallel with the junior fixture and feature finals at seasons end.
If you are interested in playing girls football in 2015 contact the EFL on 9762 5766 or girls@efnl.org.au to register your interest.