By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest women’s football coach Trent Hedges is excited by the prospect of the club fielding a women’s side for the first time.
Having coached the Burras’ youth league girls side the last two years, Hedges will combine roles this season, coaching both the girl’s and women’s team.
Hodges said he had always wanted to get involved when the senior club set up a women’s side, but didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
“A few of the senior under 18s players were worried about what to do after juniors,” Hedges said.
“[President] Ben Morse and I had a talk and I couldn’t say no to the role. I had a duty of care to help them out and go up with them.
“It will help bridge the gap between the seniors and juniors, with a few of the junior girls likely to be training with us at the end of the year.”
Diggers Rest had their first training session last week with a come and try session.
Hedges said they had about 13 or 14 people confirmed to play after the come and try session and more had been in touch since.
He said now that they had the ball rolling and started training, that more people would look to get involved.
Hedges is hoping to get together a squad of about 25 players and were encouraging anyone who wants to play to come down.
The Burras have landed a major recruit in Simone Craige.
Craige spent last season on Carlton’s VFLW list, having played with both the Sunbury Kangaroos and Sunbury Lions.
Hedges said Craige was the first player he called when he got the job.
“I grew up with her brother, so I’ve known her since I was eight,” he said.
“She played juniors at Diggers Rest. I’m rapt to have her on board.”
The side will play in the Essendon District Football League women’s competition.
Hedges said they were unsure what division they will play in.
The Burras are training on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6pm.
Anyone interested in playing can contact Trent on 0421166686 or trenthedges101@yahoo.com.au.
