Tara Murray
Newly named Woodend-Hesket women’s coach Colin Bromley is excited for the Riddell District Football League season to get underway.
The Hawks announced Bromley as their inaugural coach last week and the passionate female football supporter excited to take on the role.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “I coached the under-19s last year and coached them to a premiership which was good.
“I was looking at being more of an assistant coach and we were hoping to have a female coach, but weren’t able to turn that around in the short period.
“I then put my hand up to do it again.”
Bromley said they had about 16 girls so far, with several of the club’s under-18s set to double up and play in both age groups.
He said they were looking to get flyers done to try and attract senior players of all ages to come and join the club.
“At one stage it didn’t look like we were going to get numbers up last year for both junior teams,” he said.
“They waited until the last minute to see if their friends were going to play and the word got around and they jumped in.”
Bromley’s daughter Lily, who coached the under-15s last season, will coach the Hawks under-18 team and play in the women’s side.
Both Lily and her sister Alice have been really passionate about getting everything the female program needs, including going to committee meetings. Bromley said Alice might play some senior football as well.
Bromley said he was hoping having a women’s side was only the beginning of senior female football at Woodend-Hesket.
“I see this as a stepping stone towards many more women’s teams to come in the future,” he said.
“There’s still a bit of stigma around female football. The AFLW is getting more media, which is really good.”
Bromley said this season was a bit of an unknown, but a challenge they were looking forward to. Melton, Mt Alexander, Kyneton and Romsey are going to have teams this season, while Lancefield and Macedon had put in inquires out.
“We want to get the ball rolling and it’s starting to get exciting,” he said. “I can’t wait for the season to kick off and see where we fit.”
Anyone interested in playing can contact the club. Training is Monday and Wednesdays, 6.30pm-8pm.
Details:www.facebook.com/woodendhesketfnc.
