As of 2018, one third of all participants in the sport are female.
And that is true of our region as much as anywhere in the country.
Echuca’s senior women’s team is again looking strong, and Echuca’s youth girls will be joined by a side from Moama. And possibly a second from within their own club.
Echuca has put the call out for girls between 14 and 17 to help the club field a second youth side.
New coach Chris Mitsch said the club wanted to give every girl the opportunity to play.
‘‘We have roughly 30 girls who have arrived wanting to play for the Echuca Football Club,’’ he said.
‘‘They are fantastic numbers, but the league wants lists to be at 25, so at the moment we have too many girls to fill the side.
‘‘We’ve spoken about the prospect of a few players making the jump to Moama, but it looks like they are going to have their full 25 as well.
‘‘The reality is that women’s football has never been more popular, and a lot more girls want to play.’’
The numbers back Mitsch’s claim. AFL figures showed that female participation grew in 2018 by 14.2 per cent, with 6.5 percentage points of that growth being in female players.
At the end of the season, 530,166 women were playing our native game.
‘‘It just goes to show the popularity of women’s football,’’ Mitsch said.
‘‘It’s incredibly exciting that the game is growing and giving more opportunities for women to be involved. And we are excited that we get to play a part in helping young girls in the region play the game they love.’’
Though Mitsch has some concerns about the number on each club list.
‘‘I personally don’t think 25 is enough,’’ he said.‘‘There is a higher rate of injury, and not every girl is available every week. I would like to see those lists closer to 30.
‘‘But with the competition set up the way it is, we are going to do everything we can to make sure every girl who wants a game can get one.’’
For more information on youth girls football contact Chris on 0409033682 or Jodie on 0437830304
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