Rene Caris selected for Vic Country under-18 football squad

Caris is a decorated sportswoman in the Wimmera and her shortlisting for the 30-player squad, to play at national championships in June and July, will only add to her resume. 

The 184-centimetre ruck played five games of the TAC Cup for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels this season. 

Caris said the step up from 2016 was a big one. 

“After just one year of AFL Women’s, everyone is very excited,” she said. 

Caris will train with the squad once a fortnight before the first game between Vic Country and Vic Metro on June 17. 

Caris’s main position on the oval is in the ruck and she is the tallest player on the list. 

But she said she would play at any position if required.

“I just go where I am put and do what I am told,” she said. 

Players for the Vic Country squad will come together from across the state – and Caris said it was great to share experiences. 

“I am really excited to play in another competition and have a real go at the highest level,” she said. 

“I love how fast the game is and the physicality of it.” 

Caris said she aimed to continue developing her skills.  

“The coaches are very knowledgeable and after just one training I have learnt so much,” she said. 

“Both the skills and game training will help my football for the future.” 

Caris is playing for the ACU Sovereigns’ 19-and-under side in the Victorian Netball League and said it was sometimes difficult to manage playing both football and netball at a higher level. 

“I think football and netball help each other out,” she said. 

Caris had always loved playing footy and played Auskick at the Noradjuha-Quantong Football Netball Club as a youngster. 

“I love that girls can play footy now,” she said. 

“I used to have to always play with the boys. It’s great we can play with other girls.” 

Vic Country plays its second game in the Gold Coast against Queensland on July 10. 

It will then take on NSW-ACT on July 12 and finally Western Australia on July 14.