Darebin Falcons Girls Junior AFL information 2017

Who are the Darebin Falcons?

Darebin Falcons is the nickname of the Darebin Women’s Sports Club (DWSC). DWSC is a community club, run by and for the members to promote a number of women’s sports in the Darebin Community. These include Soccer, AFL, cricket and 8 Ball. We are proud to provide a safe and supportive environment for girls & women of all ages to participate in sport, regardless of their ability or background.

The Darebin Falcons AFL side are Australia’s most successful women’s football team and has dominated the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) and Victorian Football League (VFL) in the past decade. The Darebin Falcons have played in 12 consecutive Grand Finals claiming 5 straight premierships from 2006-10 and claiming a 4-peat in 2013-16. The reserves team achieved a 3-peat claiming premierships in 2009-2011. The U18 youth girls played in the last 7 consecutive premiership finals, claiming 6 premiership flags.

Our club is home to 16 players drafted to the inaugural AFLW, and two of our coaches.

Despite our on field success, our club goal is to continue increasing girls and female participation in sport and offering opportunities for girls of all abilities to play the sport they love.

What do you currently offer in AFL?

In 2016 we launched the FIRST EVER girls only Auskick program in Victoria. In 2017 we are registering the following teams:

- Auskick girls only program: for 4-12 year olds

- NEW U10's girls junior team

- NEW U14's junior team

- Youth girls U18's years

- Senior VFL, NFL Division 1, + NEW senior team, NFL Division 2

When is the girls 2017 AFL juniorsseason?

The Junior season for U10’s and U14’s kicks off mid April for around 12-14 rounds depending on finals (break for holidays). All games are likely to be Sunday mornings. All training will be held at our home ground, AH Capp Reserve, Halwyn Crescent, West Preston.

U14’s will train Tuesday nights 6-7pm alongside our Youth Girls and prior to our Senior AFL players.

U10’s will train Thursday nights 5-6pm prior to our senior training. Auskick clinics will join them in mid May for 3 months.

What is the playing format for girls AFL?

Training will run for around 60mins. Training will be a mix of skills, drills, fun small sided games. The skills will be split by age / ability so that all players needs are catered for and they feel comfortable.We may involve the parents in some of these as well.

U14’s games are 11 a side playing a full pitch with 15min quarters with modified rules.

U10’s games are 9 a side playing a reduced pitch, 10min quarters with modified rules. To encourage participation there are no scores, ladders or finals.

What level of commitment is required?

AFL is a team sport. The players develop their skills while enjoying playing the game with their peers and there is a strong emphasis on teamwork. Attendance at every session is not compulsory, however players are encouraged to try to make it to as many sessions as possible.

Volunteers

As a community club we aim to keep our fees low and subsidise many of the running costs through fundraising. We would ask that each family will assist at least once throughout the season with helping coach or with a game day role such as goal umpire, team manager, first aid, or volunteer in another way. As in many club sports, we also may ask you to sell raffle tickets or help at canteens or bbq’s during home games.

Who are the coaches?

We have appointed an U14’s coach and we have a couple of co-coaches for U10’s. We are still looking to appoint a couple more coaches (parents or family friends ideal) who would like to share the role. Please contact our President Aleisha on or 0423 695 265 if interested. Coaching parents of players pay reduced fees for the season.

At all times the sessions will be supervised by coaches with Working with Children Checks. If any parents are interested in helping out with running the sessions, please let us know. Volunteers with or without AFL experience are welcome, and we have funds to put parents who are interested in coaching through a junior coaching course.

Please get in touch with club President, Aleisha on if you are interested in coaching!

Is there a uniform?

We have ordered junior uniforms – costs will be kept as low as possible. Jerseys are $50. Shorts are $25 and socks $13. Sneakers or football boots are both suitable. Boots recommended for slippery weather.

Falcons’ hoodies, polo shirts, bags and other merchandise in adults and kids sizes are available to purchase at an additional cost.

Junior AFL - what is the cost per player?

We have researched our area and we believe our fees are the most affordable for girls AFL. For 2017 our U10’s player fees are $165 for the season, and U14’s player fees are $185. Our fees are kept as low as possible to enable girls to play affordable sport.

This includes:

All coached junior AFL sessions and games at the Darebin Women’s Sports Club

Junior AFL membership & insurance

Junior AFL equipment & other club costs (eg balls, goals, council fees, rates, league fees, insurance, etc)

Optional additional purchases if deemed necessary:

Mouthguard (we use soft balls & will play with minimal contact, however these are optional)

Footy boots (provides safety during muddy / slippery conditions)

Are parents required to stay during training sessions?

Darebin Women’s Sports Club advises parents to stay during training. We are a community club with activities run by volunteers, operating in a public park next to the creek. In winter trainingswill take place under lights when it becomes dark in the surrounding area. While all care will be taken to ensure the safety of children and some safety measures have been put in place, the club is not set up to guarantee safety at all times. Therefore we advise that if you are concerned, please remain at the session with your children to supervise.

All players should be picked up from the grassed area in front of the clubrooms. If your child is taking themselves home from training you must let us know that they will be leaving by themselves.

Keep in touch!

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-Sign up to newsletter at

-Email us for more info at

REGISTRATIONS OPEN NOW!

U10’s& U14’s girls AFL go to: Football -> Player registration forms -> Darebin Falcons Women’s.

Or click the full link here:

Auskick go to: search for 'Darebin' -> register at the 'Darebin Falcons girls Auskick centre'

Please contact us on to register your daughter’s interest to play and for more information.