Sport
12 February, 2026
Senior women's side for Bloods
THE Terang Mortlake Bloods will make history this year when the club enters its inaugural senior women’s side in the 2026 Western Victoria Female Football League.
The plan to bring a senior side to life has been years in development after the peak grade for the Bloods women, the U18, became finals mainstays in recent years.
The talent coming through the program was evident, but concerns were raised the talented roster would soon age-out and no longer be able to don the beloved red and blue.
Women’s football team manager Noel McConnell said he was excited to get the season underway when the squad began its training last night, and would train each Wednesday at 5pm.
“Training for the women’s team will be held in conjunction with our under 18s team, we’re confident we will have good numbers at each and every training session,” he said.
“The squad will be been working with two of our former under 18 players, Jess Bell and Sophie Curran, who were influential in transforming the team into a finals mainstay.
“We’re looking to bolster the open squad with girls who have been through the program and those around the region who have always wanted to play but never had the chance.
“We feel between both pathways we could have the numbers and support for a team.”
Mr McConnell said the inaugural women’s team had received board approval from the football club, with the schedule now being considered.
“The draw for the season had two possible schedules announced for consideration and we’re in the senior and under 18 competitions.
“It’s likely the two teams would be at the same venue on the same day.
“This is exciting because we’ve never been in a position with crowds and games to run a canteen so it will mean a revenue raising path to girls footy which hasn’t existed in the past.”
The side will don the Terang and Mortlake colours, but has a long-term vision of incorporating women from across the wider region to ensure talent from surrounding towns has representation as close to home as possible.
“We’ll alternate between traditional Terang and Mortlake jumpers based on who we play,” Mr McConnell said.
“We’ve had an indication from a number of girls in neighbouring towns, who haven’t played for the Bloods, that would like to have a crack.
“We’re looking at possibilities such as rotating some of our trainings into Camperdown and possibly Cobden to have a higher presence in Corangamite.
“We’ve also noticed a lot of girls came through the under 18s but moved away for tertiary education have showed interest in travelling back to play.
“It also gives promising younger players the chance to play up a grade – there are a lot of options and we think it’s a really exciting opportunity all-around.”