WOMEN’S football in the Wimmera will take another step forward in 2017 with a western Victoria based competition for girls set to launch this season.
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An eight-club competition has been proposed for girls aged 13 to 18 for a six-round competition that would start in May.
AFL Wimmera development manager Jason Muldoon said there was a need to talk about it in order to just get it started.
“We have to draw a line in the sand and now is the perfect time with the success of the AFL women’s competition,” he said.
“At this point we are still looking for expressions of interest but we will certainly get something going this year.
“What that starting point looks like, we are not quite sure, but it will start this season.”
The plan is for four teams to be aligned with existing Wimmera clubs and four from the Western District Commission.
Horsham Demons, Horsham Saints, Ararat and Stawell will align with the teams in the Wimmera.
Muldoon said Ararat Storm’s success in the Ballarat Football League youth girls was a catalyst for implementing the competition.
“We were probably at the point where we physically needed to do something and set some dates,” Muldoon said.
“Ararat Storm have been the leaders in the competition and certainly prompted this expansion, but we need to ensure we don’t undermine the Storm.”
Terry Arnel will be the initial driving force behind the Demons side.
“From the club’s point of view its the next step from the girls program we ran last year,” he said. “There has been a lot of general inquiries asking about how girls can get involved and we are excited for this concept.”
Arnel said piggy-backing on the success of the AFLW was important to get the concept off the ground.
“We were going to do something regardless but this concept should lead to a genuine pathway in the region,” he said.
“The pathways are there now but they are mostly limited to bigger city areas.
“Bringing the pathways to the area will encourage greater participation.”
Horsham Saints president Mick Morris was also right behind the idea.
“We’re exploring all the options at the moment,” he said.
“We had interest come our way already and now we are seeking out further interest as well.”
He said the work already done by Muldoon as well as the Horsham Demons was important to making more progress.
“We need to appreciate the effort that has already been put in,” he said.
Interested players can contact Muldoon for more information on 0417 133 990 or contact clubs directly.