IF you build it, they will come.
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That’s the approach South Warrnambool is taking as it prepares to become the first Western District club to launch a female football program.
The Hampden league club plans to run an open day on February 18 and wants to organise games against teams from as far as Ballarat and Mount Gambier in 2016.
South Warrnambool president Jock O’Connor, Daryl Fary and Michael Crutchfield will oversee the Roosters’ program which is aimed at providing a pathway for female footballers in the south-west. South-west football ambassador Alicia Drew will also help.
O’Connor said the Roosters’ plans were in their infancy.
But he hopes it will encourage other south-west clubs to follow their lead.
“All we are doing is laying the foundations and building it and seeing what happens,” he said.
“It is a South Warrnambool initiative...but if another club wants to come on board in Warrnambool and we have too many (players) I’d hope we’d work in together because we’d want a competition.
“I think there is just a need for it in this area. We have a fantastic football pedigree in the south-west but we are well behind a lot of areas as far as female football goes.”
South Warrnambool is inviting prospective players of all ages and abilities from across the district to attend its open day.
The Roosters will play in a lightning pre-season carnival in Ballarat, provided they attract enough numbers, and envisage playing up to a handful of games in their debut season.
It is unknown what form the team will take, whether it will be an under 18 line-up or a open-age squad. The final decision will depend on interest.
“We want to welcome anyone from anywhere at the moment,” O’Connor said.
“If Portland and Hamilton can’t get a team, they’re most welcome to come.”
Fary is excited about the concept, believing it will be a hit in the south-west.
“Once you start to get the interest, I just think it will grow and grow, like it has in other places,” he said.
“Ballarat has exploded. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same thing happen here.
“We want to have an open day to see what response we get. If we get a response from open age girls and have enough people, then sure we’ll go for it and have an open-age team.
“We know we have enough juniors because there is enough interest in Warrnambool for that.”
Interested players can contact the club.
