Bundoora will begin a new era when it steps out to play in Round 1 of the ANZ NFNL Women’s competition on Sunday.
Fielding a senior women’s team for the first time, Bundoora will compete in Division 3 alongside fellow newcomers Eltham, Greensborough, Mernda and St Mary’s, while La Trobe University and VU Western Spurs will also feature in the seven-team competition.
With the opening bounce fast approaching, Bundoora head coach Lyndal Hayes is pleased with the progress her side has made over the summer.
“We started pre-season in November and only had about six players so it was hard to train but after Christmas we got 10, and then 20 and now we’re at about 28,” Hayes told NFNL.org.au.
“We told everybody to bring a friend and if everyone brought a friend, then we’d have a full team and to the team’s credit, we’ve managed to do that.”
Hayes is keeping modest expectations for the season ahead, with many players preparing to play their first season of football.
“There are about seven girls who haven’t played before and there are a few who took last season off so they haven’t played for a while, but we feel like we have an even team,” Hayes said.
“Our goal is to have a core group that we can build a team around. We’re learning and teaching as we go so we’ll see where we end up.”
Bundoora has a rich football history across all age groups, with the senior men’s team the reigning Division 1 premier following last year’s thrilling grand final victory over Macleod.
Hayes said the senior women footballers now have the opportunity to add to the fantastic tapestry of the club.
“The men have given us their full support,” she said.
“They help us out. We join in on their warm-up and if we ever need a hand they’re there to help.
“I put both the teams together when we started so that there wasn’t a boys and a girls team. We’re calling it one club.”
Bundoora’s first match for premiership points is an away fixture against St Mary’s at Whatmough Park this Sunday April 8.
