DEAKIN HELPS LIFT WOMEN’S FOOTY TO NEW HEIGHTS

Women’s footy in Melbourne’s east has been given a massive boost, thanks to new major sponsor Deakin University.

Teams in the newly launched Eastern Region Women’s Senior Competition, as well as those in the Eastern Region Girls under-16 and under-18 competitions, will now battle it out for the Deakin Cup.

Eastern Football League players, club members or officials will also have the opportunity to apply for a Deakin University scholarship.

The sponsorship was officially launched at a special event at Deakin University this week.

Deakin’s Head of School for Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Professor David Crawford said the university was always working to promote and nurture women in sport.

“We know how important it is for young girls and women to be able to excel at the sports they love at any level,” Professor Crawford said.

“As a university that is ranked number one in the world for sports science, we’re proud to be partnering with Australia’s largest metropolitan football league to help it grow even bigger.”

Eastern Football League Chief Executive Officer Phil Murton said Deakin’s support of female football will be of tremendous benefit for the growth of the game. “This year alone we have 28 new teams across under-16, under-18 and senior women’s footy,” Mr Murton said. “We are thrilled to have partnered with Deakin University whose reputation for sports science, sport management, and support of female sport in general is well-known.”