GIRLS FOOTBALL

 

The 2023 season will be our twentieth year involved in girls’ football and we will be fielding Under 12, 14 and 16 teams, with mixed girls and boys team in the younger teams in the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL).
 

Our focus is on having fun, developing new skills, making new friends and enjoying the great game of football in a supportive environment. So, whether you have played before or looking to play football for the first time, our family and community minded club can cater for you.

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If you have any questions about the program, please contact our Girls Football Coordinator Adrienne Cochrane on
0421 055 477 or email acochranel@wphawks.org.au.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What girls’ only age groups do you have?

In 2023 our club will have U12s, U14s and U16s all competing in the SMJFL girls' only competitions.

 

How old do I need to be to play?

A player will need to have turned at least 7 years old by the 30th of April 2023 to be eligible to register with our club.

The dates to determine what age group a player is eligible to play are as follows:

U9   – Born on or after 1st January 2014

U10 – Born on or after 1st January 2013

U12 – Born on or after 1st January 2012

U14 – Born on or after 1st January 2010

U16 – Born on or after 1st January 2008

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Do I have to have played Auskick before?

There is no requirement to have participated in Auskick before joining one of our club's teams. If you are participating in Auskick and join the Waverley Park Hawks to play football in the same year, you will be eligible for an Auskick fee rebate (for the first year only).

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How much does it cost & how do I register?

The fees for the 2023 season are as outlined below.   Click on the 'Register Now' link below or on the home page to join our club.

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Where are games played?

Teams will play around half of their games at one of our home grounds and the other half at opponent’s grounds.

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What time will games be played?

Generally speaking, the younger the age group the earlier the games but this really depends on what other clubs request at the start of the season.

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How long do games go for?

This varies depending on age groups:

U10  =  4 x 10 minute quarters

U12  =  4 x 12 minute quarters

U14  =   4 x 15 minute quarters

U16  =  4 x 15 minute quarters

U18  =  4 x 17 minute quarters

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When are games played?

The majority of games are played on Sundays throughout the season. Occasionally an opposition club may request a night game on a weeknight, but this needs to be agreed to by both clubs.  All game changes will be communicated to all players and families by the respective Team Managers.

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Will there be scoring and finals?

Under 12s, U14s & U16s will all record scores and play in finals at the end of the season.

Girls who play in our mixed teams in U9s & U10s games will not have scoring or finals, as the focus is on learning the game and getting as many touches of the football as possible. Rather than playing a final series younger mixed teams will play in a round robin event at the end of the season known as a Lightning Carnival.

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Where and when will training be held?

Training nights and times for all teams will be advised closer to the start of the 2023 season.

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Footy can be a physical game, are there many injuries in the girls’ competition?

There is no doubt that football can be a physical game, which is why different age groups play with different modified rules to suit the different stages of development. As with any physical activity, there are no guarantees that injuries won’t occur.  Each team has a trainer at each game who is First Aid trained and the Club hires qualified medics to attend all home games.

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Can I play with the boys in a mixed team if I want to?

Girls can play in mixed teams with the boys up to and including U14s. After this time, girls must play in girls only competitions.

 

What is the pathway for girls if they want to keep playing as they get older?

Girls’/women’s football is the fastest growing area of AFL football in the country. There are many senior football teams throughout Victoria that a player may choose to play with once they’ve finished in the Youth Girls competition.

In addition to the above, there are various elite pathways and training programs available from U15s via NAB League teams (e.g., Oakleigh Chargers) right through to open age including the AFL and VFL Women’s competitions.