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PIMPINIO and Horsham Saints have received grants to help the clubs grow their girls football programs.
The money comes from the state government under its VicHealth Active Club Grants Program.
Pimpinio will receive $1299 to help increase its girls participation in an Auskick program, while the Horsham Saints will receive $2604 to help grow its underage girls team.
Pimpinio grants co-ordinator Renee Clarkson said the money would help the club ensure any junior girls were safe while participating in football.
“We will be using (the money) for football helmets for the junior teams to make sure we have all up-to-date helmets so our juniors are safe,” Ms Clarkson said.
“We are hoping to also encourage some girls to get involved with our Auskick program.”
Ms Clarkson said girls football was growing in the region and the money would assist them in providing opportunities to young girls.
“When applying for the grant we recognised that football has become quite popular for girls around the town,” she said.
“We wanted to make sure if any junior girls wanted to start participating in football that their families were happy that the girls were going to be safe.”
Horsham Saints will use their grant to continue growing their underage football girls program, following from the success of the inaugural Deakin University Female Football League this year.
Saints vice-president Nathan Martin said it was pleasing to get some outside assistance.
We started the girls team this year without any grant support, so it is good to get a little bit more support for next year.
- Nathan Martin
“We started the girls team this year without any grant support, so it is good to get a little bit more support for next year,” Mr Martin said.
Four teams have been added to the league for next season with Timboon, Cobden, Port Fairy and Wimmera’s Harrow-Balmoral making it a 12-team competition.
“There are some more teams involved next season and there are more games, so it is a longer season and there may be some more travel,” Mr Martin said.
“The money will help us grow the game and the side we have.”
Horsham Saints won the league’s first premiership this season.
Mr Martin said the club would be looking to grow the program into the future.
“This will enable us to purchase jumpers, footballs and new equipment for the team,” he said. “Hopefully we can also attract new players.”
Mr Martin also hopes the club can use the money to help recruit girls footballers who may come from diverse cultural backgrounds.
“We are definitely looking to see if we can attract players from all backgrounds” he said. “We welcome anyone to the Horsham Saints.”