Club executive secretary Jackie Vogel said clubs in Strathmerton, Katamatite, Blighty, Deniliquin and Barooga have been instrumental in supporting young girls in their early football careers.
But in the Picola and Murray Leagues, females are not able to continue in competition beyond the fourths.
“Until this year we have had just two options - play a different sport or travel,” Vogel said.
“Some locals have been travelling to Nathalia, Rutherglen, Shepparton and Wangaratta to get a game.
“Barooga Football Netball Club is changing that.
“The club is entering a new phase and expanding our already strong contingent of football and netball teams to welcome two new teams - open women’s and youth girls AFL teams, both of which will compete in the Northern Women’s AFL League in season 2024.
“You don’t have to worry about choosing between netball and footy - you can play both if you wish.”
Training is on every Wednesday at the Barooga Recreation Reserve from 6pm to 7:30pm, and matches are a mix of Friday nights and Sundays.
“Netball skills provide an excellent foundation for football, and we believe the football skills you learn will enhance your netball game too,” Vogel said.
“In this foundation year, Barooga FNC has secured major sponsors Sporties Barooga and I’ll Cut Ya Grass, coupled with experienced head coach Kate ‘Chappo’ Chapman.
“Kate started her footy back in the 1980s running out for the Strathy fourths.”
Like many other regional women, Chapman was unable to continue playing footy past the age of 14 and returned to the sport of badminton.
But in 2004 she moved to Canberra where a women’s AFL league was in full force.
Over the course of 10 years she played more than 100 games, rarely finishing outside of the top five league goal kicking.
When her club had no coach, after some pushing from teammates she put her hand up and took her team to three consecutive finals appearances.
In her first season as coach, she was awarded the AFL/NSW Women’s Coach of the Year.
Over the three seasons she coached her players to two consecutive league best and fairest awards, coached multiple representative players and in the first year of Women’s AFL three of her players were drafted into teams.
Two went on to play with the Adelaide Crows and were part of the first AFLW Premiership team.
Last season, Chapman took over the senior women’s coaching at Shepp United where the team moved up to finish the home and away season in second place.
This season she will will head up the coaching for Barooga’s first women’s teams.
To compliment her already strong coaching methods and to demonstrate her commitment, she is completing her level two coaching certificate.
“Why should L2 coaching only be a requirement to coach men’s teams,” Chapman said.
“Why shouldn’t women’s coaches be qualified to this level?”
Chapman is known for getting the best of her team by building skills, confidence, trust, and focusing on a team-first mentality.
“The Barooga FNC committee is fully committed to supporting the growth and success of the women’s teams,” Vogel said.
“We have invested significant resources and time into establishing the new teams, ensuring that players have access to top-notch facilities, equipment, and resources to thrive in the league.
“It’s time to give footy a crack and put old allegiances aside and join Barooga.”
For more information, contact the club on baroogafootballnetballclub@gmail.com.