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Women’s AFL in Bass CoastGender equality in Bass Coast community sport. By Portal Admin - 27th May 2018 - Back to News Gender equality in community sport is attracting more and more attention. The state government recently invested over $100million to improve facilities and access for women, the biggest investment in community sport in Victoria’s history.
Local Women’s AFLW team, The Bass Coast Breakers, provide a great example of how this investment into ‘changing our game’ and encouraging female participation in community sport, and particularly AFLW, is valuable to a community.
Breakers Captain, Chelsea Connell, explained that The Breakers provide a unique opportunity for the Bass Coast community.
"One of the greatest elements about our team is our inclusivity and diversity," Chelsea said.
"We have women from all backgrounds and walks of life playing for us.
"Because it’s a new opportunity, there’s not necessarily a pre-determined idea or mould for what a women’s footy player has to look like or be good at. So, we see women of all ages, shapes and sizes, coming together and dominating on the footy field.
"We are also lucky to have a club with a super open and welcoming attitude."
The Bass Coast Breakers train on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6pm at Dalyston Recreation Reserve and new players are always welcome.
If you’d like to know more, contact The Breakers on Facebook at @aflwbcoast
Bass Coast Breakers Season Launch
The Bass Coast Breakers Season Launch on Friday, 11 May celebrated the clubs inclusivity and diversity, starting with an open training session run by AFLW player, Jess Dal Pos, and ending with the tradition jumper presentation.
The open training involved the Bass Coast Breakers players, a mix of younger up-and-coming youth girls ranging from 9 to 16 years, and AFLW superstar Jess Del Pos.
Following a series of skills workshops and drills, the event moved the The Wonthaggi Club, Major sponsor, for formalities.
It was great to have a brief presentation explaining how and why the Breakers came about and giving a re-cap of the past 18 months.
The Bass Coast Breakers are the first women’s football team for our area, and they began their journey in Summer 2016/2017 recruiting for the 2017 season.
Last year’s achievements just kept stacking up for the local women’s club. They finished the season undefeated, until the Grand Final when they lost by one point against Tyabb. Following this, their Captain, Sophie Bolding was named ‘Best and Fairest’ for the league. Coach Steve Kenny was awarded 'Female Coach of the Year' at the AFL Gippsland awards night. And to top it all of, club founder Ella Angarane was awarded with the Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards in the leadership category.
For a club that began as a dream, it has certainly come a long way in its first year.
Special Guest for the evening, Jess Del Pos (GWS Giants) spoke about her experiences in Women’s football, both at a community and professional level and shared some of her stories and advice with the players and families present.
Jess gave great insight into the world of an AFLW player and provided a living and breathing example of what pathways in community football can lead to.
Finally, Sponsors were welcomed to the stage to present jumpers to each of the Breakers Players. Coach, Steve Kenny, provided some additional commentary, and announced the club captain for 2018: Chelsea Connell.
Finally, the evening closed with welcoming four of the youth girls to the stage to be presented with their own Breakers jumpers, to one day wear with pride. This presentation gestured towards the Breakers commitment to closing the loop, encouraging, and to providing pathways for young girls to follow their AFLW dreams.
Game 1: Bass Coast vs Eastern Devils
The Bass Coast Breakers kicked off their first game for the season on Sunday, 8 May at Mulgrave Reserve against the Eastern Devils. It was crisp clear day, with little wind and dry ground.
The first game always has the players nervous. Despite a few practice matches, game day is a different kettle of fish. In their first game, the Breakers would show off the skill development from pre-season and demonstrate an improved confidence and commitment.
The nervous energy lead to lots of rushed kicking in the goal square for The Breakers, and points kicked where goals could have been earnt. After the first goal you could see the nerves visibly settling for both sides. Despite the nervous points, the first quarter finished strong for the Breakers who lead 3.7.25 to 1.0.6.
One minute into the second, the thing we all hate to see happened. Breakers star ruck, Molly Bloch, was down with a neck injury. Luckily it was not a critical injury, however we let the professionals decide that and both teams forfeited the second quarter to wait for an ambulance. Good news, Molly is sore but on the mend.
After the significant break in momentum the second half started with strong possession from the Devils which resulted in their second goal for the game. Breakers returned the goal shortly after to maintain their two gaol lead. The Devils drive was about to be stifled, within a minute, Tayla Stahl-Smith kicked her second for the game, and then her third, fourth and fifth.
Tayla was one of the highest goal kickers for 2018, and it looks like she’s going to have her own merchandise soon. Other goal scorers for the game were S. Dale (3) from the Devils, and Breakers players J. Russo (2), T. Henderson and E. Cargill.
It is clear that the Breakers have the tenacity and attacking energy needed to win a game of footy. However, Eastern Devils showed great composure, and where the Breakers charged furiously, the Devils had noticeable structure and discipline; holding off and not getting sucked into the pack. This meant that when they managed to gain possession they were able to execute some great linking play, which appeared well practiced and deliberate. The Breakers skill and energy allowed them to intercept and regain possession, which they held for much of the game.
Breakers took away their first win for the season: 9.12.66 to 3.4.22
Game 2: Bass Coast vs Edithvale-Aspendale
Another perfect, sunny day for footy, The Bass Coast Breakers enjoyed their first home game for the season on Sunday, 13 May at the Dalyston Recreation Reserve.
It was also Mother’s Day and The Breakers were spurred on by the cheers of children in the stand and mum’s helping out. This is a team with five sets of sisters and several mothers involved as players, leaders and volunteers. What better way to celebrate than with a win.
It was a game that would start off with two quick goals to the Breakers in the first few minutes of the game, setting the scene for things to come.
Edithvale-Aspendale demonstrated some great skill once they had possession, and some consolidated set plays when kicking out of defence. However, they had possession seldom. The Breakers picked off any loose kicks and dominated in the contest.
In particular, Breakers ruck T. Angarane controlled at least 90% of the ruck contests, creating direction and pathways for her team mates. Leading goal kicker T. Stahl-Smith kicked seven of the 16 goals, making the job look easy. Mid fielders, C. Bolding, C. Connell (Captain) and J.Russo, created momentum with several runs down the midfield demonstrating great possession and commitment to the ball.
As the game wore on it was noticeable both teams were fatiguing, and what started as a somewhat open game turned to complete congestion by the last quarter.
Edithvale-Aspendale flooded their players to the ball so that even if it was cleared, there was no one to kick it to. The congestion certainly slowed the momentum and took away much of the excitement.
The game finished with Bass Coast Breakers defeating Edithvale-Aspendale 16.13.109 to 0.1.1.
Goal kickers for Bass Coast were T. Stahl-Smith (7), H.Mills (2), E.Volard (2), C.Bolding, K.Thomas, J.Russo, S.Whitburn and K.Edney.
Bass Coast plays their next game at Dalyston recreation reserve on Sunday, 3 July at 1.00pm against Tyabb.
Breakers Season Launch, presentation of jumpers to up-and-coming youth girls.
Open Training session with Jess Dal Pos (GWS Giants)
Breakers Vs Eastern Devils
Breakers Vs Eastern Devils
Breakers vs Edithvale-Aspendale
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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