PATHWAYS to playing Aussie rules – and potentially reaching high levels in the sport – will be opened up for Riverland girls via a Come and Try Day in Berri this weekend.
SANFL club West Adelaide is staging the initiative, to be held at the Berri Football Club this Sunday, January 10, from 9am to 11am.
Hosted by West Adelaide’s SANFLW team, the session will include fun, skill-based games, with the club hoping it will stimulate more local participation numbers. SANFL’s Riverland-based game development co-ordinator Nick Dillon said the event would be a “invaluable” for interested local girls.
“We’re very lucky to have the West Adelaide ladies in the Riverland for their camp and the Come and Try Day is just a further example of the Bloods looking after their regional area,” Mr Dillon said.
“To have SANFLW players giving their guidance to local girls will be invaluable and will highlight the pathway to playing at a higher level.
“The aim is to eventually have a pathway for girls to start in Auskick and then join junior competitions locally so they can be identified by the Bloods.”
The Riverland Football League women’s competition was established several years ago and Mr Dillon said the success of a number of Riverland girls at a higher level highlighted what can be achieved by those with big ambitions.
“We’ve already seen it can be done with Tekira Hoffmann, Ashlea James, Connie Doups and Georgie Pater all taking the next step and that’s without a junior program in the Riverland,” he said.
“If we do have a junior pathway, hopefully we’ll see more and more locals taking the next step.”
This Sunday’s Come and Try session is free and is aimed at girls aged five to 11, however girls up to 13 can also register. Participants are required to simply bring their own drink bottle. A free barbecue lunch will be held after the session with the West Adelaide team members.