Womens’ footy expands-

By Glen Atwell
IN STEP with an increasing number of girls taking to footy, plans are afoot to double the number of teams in 2009 while competition structure itself is under review.
Cranbourne Football Club manager Frank Johnson wants to double the number of teams as aspiring high-flyers are finding it extremely difficult to book a berth in clubs, more difficult than backing into a pack.
The number of Casey women strapping on football boots is increasing every year.
Casey has youth teams, for girls under-18, in Berwick, Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Hallam, but only one senior side in Berwick.
“The popularity of women’s football in Casey is exploding,” Mr Johnson said.
“There are five youth teams in the area, but only one senior team,” he said.
“It creates a bottleneck when players turn 18, and forces some women to hang up their boots,” Mr Johnson said.
Leesa Catto from the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) said the league was reviewing its competition structure.
“As part of this review, we will be identifying areas where we will look at positioning new teams across Melbourne and this includes the Casey area,” she said.
“At least seven football clubs across Melbourne, including Cranbourne, have expressed an interest in entering our competition next year and we need to ensure due diligence with a planned, strategic approach when considering new teams.”
Ms Catto said a decision on new teams for next season would be made at the end of this year.
The VWFL has developed significantly since the first ball was first bounced 27 years ago and the competition currently has four playing divisions.
Since 2000 the league has grown its competition by 314 per cent, a 23 per cent increase year on year.
Mr Johnson said women’s football was even luring netballers from the court and onto the grass.
“Girls that have played netball for 10 years are picking up a footy and saying ‘wow’ this is great,” he said.