East Sunbury coach Lisa Borg isn’t daunted by the challenge of steering the club’s first women’s team in the Essendon District Football League division 2.
Both the Thunder and Taylors Lakes will both be fielding their maiden women’s side when they clash at John McMahon Reserve in round one on April 13.
Borg, who has previously coached at Kyneton and Gisborne and played nearly 200 games of football herself, said there had been encouraging signs throughout the pre-season.
“I think we’re all excited, some are pretty nervous, but that’s to be expected,” she said.
“The club has been very supportive.”
Borg estimated half of the 20 player squad was new to the game.
“I’ve never just jumped into a team where everyone has played before,” she said. “I think it shows who the leaders are, who can step up.
“There are players who have never played before but are born leaders and some players who just want to play football.”
In her first outing as the club’s coach, Borg will come up against her former coach from her playing days at the Sunbury Kangaroos, Joseph Antonetti.
There’s also some former Kangaroos players in both sides.
“I’m glad they’re the first, because I know they’re going to be a nice team,” she said,
“They’re new as well and I know some of the players as well.
“I think they’re going to have a different dynamic to us with more younger players.”
Sophia Iosifidis has been named as the club’s inaugural captain with Sarah Hunt as vice-captain.
Chantelle Harding, Danielle Harding, Ally Salpingidis and Rach White make up the remainder of the leadership group.
Borg said they were prepared for the season to start, but that the club is always looking for more players and any was welcome to come down and join the club.
“We’re inclusive to everyone and we have a very supportive network and team,” she said.
“The culture is strong and it starts with our president who wants us to succeed.”
In other first round matches, it will be a Sunbury derby with the Sunbury Lions hosting the Sunbury Kangaroos on Saturday morning.
The men’s competition also gets underway on Saturday.
In division 2, East Sunbury hosts Westmeadows and the Sunbury Kangaroos will play Taylors Lakes.
In division 1, Rupertswood faces St Albans.
Oliver Lees
