THE Kerang Football Club will be at the forefront of women’s football in the region, with the Blues on track to enter a side in a new competition.
The club held a registration event on Thursday for its inaugural women’s team, which will compete in a regional competition consisting of eight teams from across northern Victoria.
Close to 30 players have expressed interest in playing for the side, with those keen to take part coming from the area covering Barham, Boort, Cohuna and Swan Hill.
“Women’s football is the second-fastest growing sport in the world, and regionally, the decision was made between Kerang and the league to set up a side,” the club’s women’s team co-ordinator, Nick Hunter said.
Joining Kerang as the eight provisionally accepted sides are the Benalla Saints, Bendigo Thunder, Echuca, Kyneton, Mooroopna, Northern Bendigo and Shepparton.
The league will cater for players over the age of 18, with local girls 17 years and under encouraged to play with Woorinen in the Bendigo Junior Football League Youth Girls competition.
“We did not want to step on anyone’s toes with regard to the junior program,” Hunter said.
“With this being a regional competition, for Kerang to be the first club to have a women’s team in the Gannawarra Shire is something pretty special.”
Applications for clubs to join the competition will be accepted up to March 1, with a fixture to be finalised for the AFL Goulburn Murray-managed competition after this date.
“The feedback and enthusiasm coming from clubs has been fantastic about the concept and the introduction of the competition” AFL Goulburn Murray region general manager, Martin Gleeson said.
It is anticipated the new league will begin in late April or early May.
