Bacchus Marsh Soccer Club hopes to advance its female program this season.
The Scorpions under-16 girls team has been around about two years, but this season the club wants to add an under-11, under-18 and women’s side to run alongside the existing team.
The club’s female development officer, Hilda Vergles, said while there are enough players to field a side, there are not enough to fill a particular age group.
“We have 13 girls in total through from under-13s to seniors,” she said. “We could have one team, but it would mean the young girls would have to play in the seniors against the bigger bodies.”
Vergles said interest from new players had been slow, but the club is heavily promoting its female program in schools, and beyond.
“We’re looking for anyone who wants to get involved and we’re happy to teach the game,” said Vergles, who played at South Melbourne with former Australian goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
“It’s great for fitness and a great social outlet. Being part of a team sport helps you learn life lessons.”
Vergles said the club is undecided which competition the sides will play in, with the option either the Ballarat & District Soccer Association or Melbourne based FFV metro league competitions.
Either way, the sides will play on Sundays and train Wednesday and Friday nights.
“Last year, we played in the Ballarat league with all the boys teams, and you play sides like Daylesford and Creswick.
“There’s also the metro league, where we’d play teams like Melton and Sydenham,” Vergles said. “I’d prefer to stay in the Ballarat league, but we’re going to let the parents have a big say.”
As well as being female development officer, Vergles is assistant to coach Craig Bradfield. She said getting more female sides was about developing the young club, which formed in 2008 with three sides. This year there will be four MiniRoos teams, from under-8s through to under-11s, under-13s, under-15s, under-17s and a men’s team, plus female and girls sides. The club also has Monday night soccer and runs programs over summer to keep players involved.
“It’s a fun club and we’re trying to expand it and take it from there.”
Details: jeff.hildavergles@hotmail.com or 0405 492 807.
