By PETER DOUGLAS
AFTER the introduction of two girls’ junior football teams in season 2016, the Montrose Junior Football Club has kicked yet another goal.
The girls’ teams will finish this season in style thanks to a $10,000 Holden Home Ground Advantage grant for new uniforms and equipment.
The grant reaffirms the club’s status as leading the way in introducing females to the sport in the Eastern Football League.
To celebrate their achievements, a footy clinic day was held on Wednesday 6 July, at the club’s home ground.
Collingwood Magpies premiership hero Steele Sidebottom and Collingwood Women’s Football operations manager Meg Hutchins were on-hand to lead proceedings.
Sidebottom told the junior footballers that all AFL players started out at grassroots clubs like Montrose.
His journey started out at Shepparton.
“With four older brothers, (and) our back yard used to join up to the footy ground out the back, so footy was massive in our family,” he said.
“Netball as well, I think mum played over 400 games of netball (and) she dragged us to the footy.
“I definitely miss the country feel for football and the social side of it as well.
“Seeing so many faces and the kids here … is great to see.”
Meanwhile, Ms Hutchins said there were more pathways opening up for female footballers, which wasn’t so much the case when she started playing.
Montrose Football Club also runs eight boys football teams, from under-8s through to under-17s, and a disability football clinic for people with intellectual disabilities aged 12 and over.
Junior club president Adam Wilkinson said the funds would mean a lot to the club, which was hoping to form three girls’ teams next season.
“The money is going to jumpers and everything it takes to get us out onto the field,” he said.
“So the girls don’t get around in the old stuff, drinking from the old water bottles.
“They’ve got the new stuff and it makes a big difference.”
Local Holden dealer Andrew Holbrook, of Ferntree Gully Holden, said he was excited to provide the club with the grant and support the local community.
“It’s fantastic to see a club giving everyone a chance to participate in sport and we’re thrilled to give these girls a helping hand for their first-ever footy season,” he said.
In 2014, Holden committed $5 million over 10 years to its exciting Home Ground Advantage program, which provides grants to community-based sporting clubs across Australia.
Twice a year, $250,000 of grants is awarded, with one major grant going to a worthy project of up to $100,000 in value.
Applications for the 2016 winter round are still open and close on 31 August.
The application process is easy and online.
Clubs wanting to apply should visit www.holden.com.au/homegroundadvantage.
