Sport
20 November, 2025
New approach to growing girls’ footy
THE Bloods are set to hit the road to bring a new opportunity for girls across the region to get out on the footy field.
The Terang Mortlake Female Football Club has been exploring how it can form a relationship with surrounding clubs such as Camperdown, Cobden and Timboon to ensure the long-term viability of female football in the region.
As part of that initiative, with assistance from the AFL, the club is planning to run three ‘9’s come and try’ events in late November and early December.
The first event will be held next week at the Camperdown Recreation Reserve on Tuesday, November 25 from 4.30pm.
A second session will be held at Timboon P-12 school oval on Tuesday, December 2 from 4:30pm.
A final session will see the Bloods returning to home turf at the Terang Recreation Reserve on Sunday, December 7 at 9.30am.
Among those in attendance to support coaching efforts will be former Terang Mortlake Female Football Club captain Sophie Curran, who said opening doors for women to get involved in football would be a positive.
“In the past the team has attracted people from all across the area, so there is a growing recognition the sport can be a place for girls,” she said.
“It would be great to attract more girls to the sport because there is a big community for it and a need for it.
“I think it will attract a lot of girls who haven’t played sport before, which is a huge demographic which encompasses girls from all walks of life.
“We want to create these opportunities because sport brings a lot of people together – we know sporting clubs create new friendships which can turn into lifelong friendships, which is something I’ve experienced.”
Girls aged 12 and above including seniors are encouraged to attend all events.
The Terang event will have a particular focus on the senior girls but all juniors are welcome.
Events will be conducted so that girls of similar age and ability will compete against each other.
No experience is necessary and the events will be free to all girls new to the Terang Mortlake Football Netball Female Football Club.
Curran said she hoped girls getting the opportunity to get involved with football would also help to connect families behind a common interest.
“Women’s football is growing to the point of creating its own little community, which can support itself – just starting it up and getting the initial push is always the biggest thing,” she said.
“It also brings families together where you see mothers, daughters and grandparents to see how far everything has come in the past 50 years.
“Women can play sport, can play together and we don’t just have to play netball.
“It would be great to see families playing so they can create deeper relationships together.”
Football boots will not be required and team tops will be provided.
Participation for new girls has been kindly sponsored by the Corangamite Shire.
There will be a one-off charge of $35 for all girls who have been previously registered with TMFNC to cover insurance and AFL staff running the events.
All user groups and the school have waived hire fees in a bid to support the growth of female football.
There will also be a free barbecue for all participants following the Terang event.
All participants are encouraged to bring a friend.
Early registration is encouraged to ensure that the events take place but registrations can be taken right up until the start of each event and can be done at the venues.