By LIAM TWOMEY
GIRLS will be taking centre stage at the Point Cook Football Club next season.
The Bulldogs announced earlier this month they would field junior girls’ teams in the fast growing WRFL women’s football competition.
Originally the club planned to have one team in 2014 but after strong interest, committee member Mark King said a second team may also be a possibility.
“We have been talking about it as a committee for awhile and we put an expression of interest out there to test the waters and it was very positive,” he said.
“There are two age groups for girls football, 9-13 and 13-18.
“We thought we would probably get more girls for the younger group but at the moment we have probably got more for the older. We may even have two teams. We are very happy with how it’s all going.”
While women’s football at Point Cook is only in its early days, the club has wasted no time appointing a high calibre head coach.
Belinda McErvale will lead the Bulldogs throughout the season. She brings a wealth of experience to the roll having previously played 10 years of women’s football for Melbourne Uni.
“We are so lucky to have someone of Belinda’s calibre on board at the club,” King said.
“She is a great lady and she is pretty thrilled about it as well.”
Despite the season still being months away, that hasn’t stopped an eager bunch of players getting stuck into early training.
The Bulldogs have been running a pre-season academy with excellent numbers for the last few weeks.
King said the club would also be looking towards having a senior team in the future.
“The AFL has really put a focus on women’s footy and they are really putting a bit of money into it,” he said.
“We would love to have a women’s team. From our point of view, the game is for everyone. Male, female it doesn’t really matter. There are plenty of girls out there who want to play and we are very happy to support that.”
Anyone interested in joining the Point Cook Football Club women’s teams can contact Mark King via email, markk4@bigpond.net.au or phone, 0447 156 108.
