By Tricia Mifsud
AFLW Melbourne Demons players Shelley Scott and Lauren Pearce attended Lancefield junior girls’ football team training on Thursday to lead a technique and skills development session.
Scott and Pearce ran through several training drills with the girls as they prepared for their first game together on Sunday, against Woodend Hawks.
The Tigers were unsuccessful on their first run together, defeated by the Hawks 77 to 2.
Pearce, who plays ruck for the Demons, said it was important for the club and for herself personally to be involved in the growth of women’s football, particularly at grassroots and junior level.
“I didn’t play football growing up; I didn’t have the same experience as these girls get to have,” she said.
“Partly because it was only a few years ago that girls would still have to drive an hour or so away to be allowed to play in a side.”
This is the first year Lancefield Tigers will field a women’s side.
With 25 players on their list, only a handful of the girls had previously played any sort of football prior to joining the club.
For some, it was the first time they even held a football in their hands.
Girls football coordinator Jacqui Green, said the commitment from the girls and the club had been really pleasing to see.
“It’s a real joy to see the girls playing. The [Lancefield Football Netball Club committee] have been behind us all the way too to make sure we can be as successful as we possibly can,” she said.
“Even for training, it’s ensured that we’re not clashing with the boys’ side, we’re training alongside them and ensuring success across the whole club.”
To find out more about being involved in the side, as well as regular fixture updates to support the girls, visit the Lancefield Tigers Facebook page.
