Hillside has strengthened its women’s program in the Essendon District Football League, bringing in a new coach and operations manager.
Blaise Ferraro will coach the Sharks’ senior women in 2024. Ferraro is the Sharks’ current games record holder, a former senior men’s premiership captain and life member. He also has nine years of assistant and head coaching experience under his belt.
Ferraro has retired from playing to take the role with the women’s side.
“That was a big decision for me personally,” he said.
“I’ve had some experience with the women’s program before, when we started up the juniors at the club, I coached one of the teams.”
The Sharks finished in sixth position in the EDFL premier division this season, with four wins from their 13 matches. With the aim next season, to boost up the ladder.
“While they finished towards the bottom of the ladder, they weren’t really at any threat of relegation,” Ferraro said.
“There are no confirmed outs at the moment, all of the team of the year players and the VFL [Victorian Football League] experienced players are all committed to play next year which is good.
“We’ve got a handful of players returning who have been away from the club for the last few years.
“So far it’s looking promising so hopefully we can move up the ladder sooner rather than later.”
To team up with Ferraro the club has added Chris Baba to oversee its women’s program.
Baba comes with a wealth of experience, with a background in sports administration and has worked at Carlton and the Western Bulldogs football clubs in various business development and sponsorship roles. He also spent a couple of years working within the recruiting team at the Bulldogs being responsible for scouting and reporting on prospective AFL talent.
“The experience he brings is invaluable really,” Ferraro said.
“We’re really lucky to get somebody like that involved and want to be involved.
“People with that resume and who are that enthusiastic, you can’t put a price on it.”
With Ferraro and Baba now steering the ship, the goal is simple.
“To play finals will be the main goal,” Ferraro said.
“They’re a pretty close group already which is handy and they are all excited and ready to go.
“Pre Covid they were playing finals and making prelims, so they have experience being there, they’ve had a taste of it before so they definitely want that back.”
Harper Sercombe
