With 11 registered female players across its fourths and fifths football teams, Blighty has the most active female players of any other team in the league.
They’re just as hungry for success as their male teammates, and some even play a full game of netball before pulling on the footy boots on the hunt for the Sherrin.
Blighty fourths coach Jim Macdonald said the make-up of the team demonstrates the club culture at Blighty.
“The teams we play might have one or two female players, and people are usually fairly surprised to find we have seven in our fourths side.
“We’ve always tried to make our club very inclusive.
“In the past we have been short on numbers for our fourths, and there were some girls who were willing to come along and make up those numbers and give it a go.
“There’s always been a good presence from females in footy at Blighty because of that, but it’s definitely getting stronger.”
Regularly suiting up for the Redeyes fourths are Laura McManus, Sydney Cairns, Harlem Morgan, Cassady Sibraa, Ruby Gordon, Helen Fevaleaki and Lily Petersen.
In a true test of their sporting versatility and stamina, Cassady and Lily also play netball for Blighty.
“It’s a real credit to them; they both put in big efforts each week,” Macdonald said.
“We have all seven girls on the field almost every round, and they don’t hold back. Their confidence is building all the time.
“Helen is actually a best on ground for us most weeks, and Ruby Gordon has been training with me since last year and has a really good footy brain.
“Even when she’s not playing, she’ll tell me how to set up the players. That’s one of the reasons she has been co-captain for the last two years.
“The whole teams gets along so well.
“We might not be getting any wins on the board, but they are gelling really well together, building skills and having fun.”
Macdonald said while at least two of his players will age out of being able to play in the Picola League after this season - Ruby and Cassady - the future looks bright with four female players active in the fifths - Olivia Cairns, Ruby Clohesy, Nayla Haigh, Amber Ward.
Based on advice from the AFL, Picola’s regulations stipulate females can only play against males until the age of 15.
After that, Picola League operations manager Shane Railton said there are options to join female only leagues in the district.
Among them are the Goulburn Murray Youth Girls competition (in which Echuca has a team), the Bendigo Pioneers and Murray Bushrangers.
Local players like Jerrah Caruso, Shaleah and Jemika Cooper, Remi Baulch and Savannah Emery have taken these paths.
If there are any girls out there who would like to give footy a go, Macdonald said they’re always welcome at Blighty.
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