From the Bayside Leader
IT was Chick Kick day at East Sandringham on Saturday, with girls from across the South Metro Football League including Hampton Rovers putting boot to ball and signing up for competition.
Victorian Womens Football League star and Melbourne Football Club womens ambassador Kara Donnellan was on hand for mini-matches and clinics, and registrations were taken for the South Metro girls Under 10 competition beginning on June 23.
Last years first Chick Kick day attracted 176 girls and led to the establishment of Victorias first AFL-sanctioned junior girls competition.
Seven clubs and 12 teams were involved.
This year we have extended girls footy to Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10 competitions, SMJFL general manager David Cannizzo said.
We have four clubs and five teams in Under 14, 11 clubs and 12 teams in Under 12, and our Under 10 competition kicks off on June 23.
Clubs represented are East Sandringham – the largest girls footy club in the SMJFL with 100 registered players – Ajax, East Brighton, East Malvern, Hampton Rovers, Mordialloc-Braeside, Ormond, St Pauls, St Peters, St Bedes/Mentone and St Simons.
East Sandringham president John Hine said the popularity of girls football continued to grow in the local area.
We have been very strong on participation and enjoyment.
All the girls train on the same night, we have a group of coaches who make it a fun night while they learn, and we provide the same rewards and awards to the girls as we do the boys, Mr Hine said.
We dont see girls footy any differently than we do the boys, and having the girls join the club has given it a much improved dimension.
Hampton Rovers have an U12 team in the 2012 SMJFL Girls competition.
