By Tara Murray
Romsey is making the move into women’s football next season.
With the growth of female football and a number of interested players, the Redbacks are considering as many as four sides next season from women’s through to under-13s.
Redbacks junior president Adam Rademaker said the idea of female sides at the club had been in the works for a couple of years after one of their star junior players had to go elsewhere to play after under-14s as she could no longer play with the boys.
Madison Prespakis, who was selected at pick three in the AFLW draft,, was already winning best and fairests while at the Redbacks.
“I coached the under-16 boys way back in 2015,” Rademaker said.
“Maddy wasn’t allowed to play with us after under-14s and it meant she had to go elsewhere to play. She’d played under-9s through to under-14s.
“That year she was my assistant coach and runner so she could stay involved.”
The Redbacks would like to have an under-13, under-15, under-18 and women’s sides next year.
Rademaker said the under-18 and women’s sides were the most likely to get up.
“We’ve had strong interest in those areas,” he said.
“We’ve had a bit of interest in the under-13s as well. We’ve got a couple of players that are likely to come back as well [from other clubs].”
Rademaker said anyone interested in playing at the club can come down and have a try.
They were also looking for coaches.
The club has set up an extensive pre-season program to help prospective players get ready to play football. The program will run from November 11 to December 14, with more training sessions in the new year.
As part of the program, AFLW star Bianca Jakobsson will take a session, while David Newett and Malcolm Bangs, who both have AFL coaching experience, will help out with some sessions.
The club will have an exhibition match against East Sunbury in December.
An information session will be held on November 11. For more information, call Adam on 0417 340 487.
