The Keilor Football Club established a women’s football program just four years ago, yet already the club counts more than 100 female players among its ranks.
In what was described as a historic moment for the Blues, they officially launched their first senior women’s side late last month.
The Blues’ president of women’s football, Warren Grunden, said there was now a clear pathway for girls to progress from Auskick through to junior football and then senior teams.
“We’re one of only a handful of clubs in the Essendon District Football League and Western Region Football League that can confidently provide the full pathway for girls,” he said.
He said the response from interested women had been overwhelming, with numerous female siblings of existing players giving up basketball and soccer to play senior football.
“We were anticipating an influx of women wanting to play, and that’s reflected in our numbers,” he said.
“We’ve now got 24 players in the under-12s, 23 in the under-15s, 24 in the under-18s and about 32 in the senior women’s,” he said.
The club didn’t waste any time appointing an experienced coach for its inaugural season.
Emma Kerry, who was assistant coach at the Darebin Falcons, who won the first-ever women’s VFL premiership this year, was appointed to the role in September.
