New East Sunbury female football ambassador Emma Grant wants to ensure the female footballers get the same opportunities as male counterparts.
The former AFLW player and now Richmond AFLW assistant coach has come on board for the Thunder as it aims to put more resources into its female program.
In her ambassador role, Grant will work closely with the club and community to deliver initiatives focused on school engagement, female football programs, community come and try days, and key club activities that strengthen connections across the East Sunbury community.
Grant said when she was asked to take on the role, it was hard to say no.
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “My brother’s good mate is on the board and I coach with Brendan Fevola (Thunder men’s player).
“I grew up in Gisborne and played football against Sunbury.I went to school in Sunbury, so I know the area.”
Grant was the first AFL female ambassador for regional Victoria 15 years ago.
As well as being involved in the AFLW coaching scene, she’s worked with academies in Bendigo and the Bendigo Pioneers.
Grant is also a school teacher.
She said what the Thunder was trying to do for the female program was massive.
“It’s fairly new, the actual sports club, it’s a big community,” she said. “The conversations I’ve had with the club and players have been really good.
“I want to give females more of an opportunity. I grew up playing football with the boys.
“One of the things is to get girls involved. I’ve noticed with women’s footy who have not done this before, then say why haven’t we done this before.
“Some might not be the biggest supporters of women’s footy but once they go to a game and how competitive it is.”
The Thunder is yet to win a senior women’s match, but is set to field two women’s sides this year.
Grant said she wanted to help develop players so each session they leave as better players and people.
She said some might want to go and play AFLW.
Grant will run the Thunder’s female academy, which will run alongside the boys one already at the club.
“Once the season starts girls who are playing footy can nominate to be part of the academy,”she said.
“It will give an opportunity to train at a higher standard with like minded people and get experiences they don’t have yet.”
Grant said local secondary and primary schools had taken up the offers of her coming into them to take girls footy clinics.
Richmond forward Caitlin Greisler attended the club’s come and try day last week.
