Auskick girls ready

Girls Aussie Rules football at Bunyip is aiming to kick some big goals.

The Bunyip junior football club is well on the way to establishing a girls’ only Auskick program and has Under 12 and youth girls (ages 13 to 17) in training and there are also strong moves for an open age (18 years and over) side,

Junior club vice-president Shara McAuley has been pushing the program and was delighted last week when news came through from State Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing that the club had been successful in an application for a grant of $2820 to help the girls’ section.

Ms McAuley said the grant from VicHealth’s Active Club program would be used for playing uniforms and training equipment.

She said that like other sporting clubs the plans at Bunyip had been thrown out of kilter by restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic but the girls had keenly taken to the training track almost a month ago as restrictions eased slightly.

We are hoping we may be able to get some games in soon, Ms McAuley said.

“Pre-COVID and three other clubs in the region were working towards setting up a pilot Under 12 competition and youth girls was looking to join a South Gippsland-based league”.

Those things are still up in the air but Ms McAuley said “hopefully at least some practice matches can be organised”.

She said most players came from the Bunyip area but it had also advertised more widely for players through district schools.

Most are newcomers to the game although a handful had played in junior teams largely comprised of boys.

Anybody interested in inquiring about Bunyip’s girls’ football can contact Ms McAuley on 0400296817 or at sharamcauley@hotmail.com

Ms Shing the Active Club grants aimed at getting people playing sport.

Sport is great for physical and mental health and also a great way to get involved with your community, have fun and make new friends.