By: Dyson Baker – EFL Junior Football Manager
In the culmination of 17 weeks of work for 18 teams from across the eastern suburbs, welcome to grand final day 2017 for the Deakin University Eastern Region Girls competition, all thanks to Yarra Valley Choose Tap.
From a two-division competition just 24 months ago, the competition has grown rapidly with 91 teams competing across 11 divisions this season and by team numbers the Eastern Region Girls competition is the biggest in Victoria.
We welcomed a host of new clubs to girls’ football for the first time; from the EFL we welcomed Croydon, East Burwood, Forest Hill, Glen Waverley Rovers, Heathmont, Lilydale, Lysterfield, Mooroolbark, North Ringwood, Rowville, South Belgrave and The Basin. We also welcomed new sides from AFL Yarra Ranges clubs – Gembrook- Cockatoo, Monbulk and Upwey all fielding female teams in season 2017. A club prominent in today’s proceedings, Blackburn, after commencing its girls football journey in other competitions, fielded female sides in the Eastern Region Girls this season.
Once again, 2017 was a season of firsts fielding two representative sides in the under-15s as part of the AFL Victoria Metro Junior Championships. Our first side went through the carnival undefeated qualifying our teams for Division 1 next season. A huge thanks to the coaches, players and parents for their support of the program in 2017.
The under-16 girls will get their chance over the next few weeks with the V-Line Cup squad currently training, preparing for the September carnival.
With consistent growth in boys’ competitions as well as the exponential growth in girls’ football, 2017 has been a logistical challenge, however communication between leagues and clubs around umpires and venues has alleviated a number of these issues.
All season both the EFL and AFL Yarra Ranges have provided umpires to ERGFL games, this will continue today with AFL YR umpires to officiate in the 12 Yarra Ranges, 14 Division 1 and 16 Division 1 competitions, while EFL umpires have filled appointments in all other divisions.
Congratulations to Brendan McKenna at AFL YR as well as Sean Clarke at the EFL for their tireless work managing the umpires each week.
Both leagues’ junior competitions are represented by a hard-working group of people who continue to ensure the high standards are met – thanks to the junior committee of the EFL as well as the junior commission of AFL Yarra Ranges.
Ahead of 2018, we will be seeking feedback from clubs as to the state of play in girls’ football, this conversation commenced at the pre-finals delegates meeting and was extremely positive. We expect to be contacting clubs in the coming weeks.
A huge thank-you to the clubs who have made season 2017 what it is. Clubs’ dedication to female football is what has made the competition great over the past 24 months and the dedication to seeing it succeed is what will continue to grow girls’ football in years to come.
Finally, to the players, many of whom took to the field for the first time in Round 1 this season, thank-you! The passion and love for the game is something that needs to be seen to be believed – we hope this continues today on grand final day and well into the future.
Best of luck to all competing teams for all of today’s grand finals!
Grand Final Day Fixture:
Under-12 Yarra Ranges – Mt. Evelyn v Monbulk – 10am, Batterham Reserve
Under-12 North – Montrose v Lilydale – 10am, Koonung Reserve
Under-12 South – South Belgrave/Lysterfield v Rowville Hawks – 11.40am, Koonung Reserve
Under-14 Division 1 – Blackburn v Mt Evelyn – 9.30am, Batterham Reserve
Under-14 Division 2 – Donvale v Mooroolbark – 1.20pm, Koonung Reserve
Under-16 Division 1 – Gembrook-Cockatoo v Rowville Knights – 11.10am, Batterham Reserve
Under-16 Division 2 – East Ringwood White v Lilydale – 3.10pm, Koonung Reserve
Under-16 Premier – Blackburn v Donvale – 1.10pm, Batterham Reserve
Under-18 Division 1 – Blackburn/Norwood v Mt. Evelyn – 3.10pm, Koonung Reserve
Yarra Valley Choose Tap ambassador Moana Hope to make special guest appearance at Batterham Reserve, along with a host of activities planned at the Under-18 grand final:
11.30am – Longest kick competition (winner receives $100 Rebel Sport gift card)
4pm to 4.15pm – Moana Hope runs CT handball activation
4.15 pm to 4.30pm – Moana runs handball competition with prizes ($100 Rebel Sport gift card, signed CT football, CT bottles)
4.30pm – 5pm – Moana walks around ground with Tap Man
5pm – Moana presents medals to winning and runner-up U18 players
5.30pm – Moana autographs/photos