WOMEN’S football returns to the Lower South East tonight with the opening round of the 2018 Limestone Coast Women’s Football League season.
The now eight-team league will take to Vansittart Park for week one, with the first game to kick off at 5.30pm.
This year sees the inclusion of both the Kybybolite and Kalangadoo Football Clubs, representing the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara and Mid South East Football Leagues to join the Western Border teams already in the competition.
Last year’s All Stars team has also found a home club, as it takes the title of the Glencoe All Stars.
“I think it is a big step forward going to an eight-team competition,” LCWFL committee member Steven Perryman said.
“It shows the interest in women’s football in our region and it is a step in the right direction for the development of the game.”
Perryman said the formation of the new teams was driven by the clubs themselves, but their respective leagues have thrown their support behind the movement.
“The responsibility for managing the (women’s) league rests with the Western Border Football League, but it is very positive that those clubs and those communities can have representation,” he said.
This year will see an eight-round season, with seven minor rounds followed by the grand final at Millicent on March 25.
The fixture will include a mix of Friday night and Sunday games, along with one Saturday round.
With the success of last season, Perryman hopes to see the game continue to develop in the Limestone Coast, but said there is still a long way to go in the overall goal for the league.
“I think it is about setting the foundations and taking small steps,” he said.
“The feelings expressed at a recent meeting of the management committee was that it will probably take four or five years to sort of get things bedded down.
“What you see for 2018 is definitely progress from 2017, but I don’t think anyone is under the illusion that is the end of it and there will be future developments going forward.”
Another minor change from 2017 will see a gate fee introduced this season to cover costs, but Perryman is hopeful this will not deter spectators.
“We anticipate we’ll get strong crowds,” he said.
“There is a gate fee this year, but that is necessary to fund the league.
“That money will go back into the running of the league.
“We hope that is not a deterrent and that people understand.”
With each team having a home round, this will result in a broadened horizon for the women’s game, as it hits the road and extends its reach on the region.
“It will be great to take football out to Kybybolite, Glencoe and Kalangadoo in the context of a women’s round,” Perryman said.
“It is a different atmosphere to the traditional Saturday game.
“There is a great camaraderie between the players from the different clubs.
“It is a really friendly atmosphere.”
With South Gambier going into the 2018 season as defending champions, this year’s inclusions could see the competition heat up as the new teams look to showcase their skills.
“It was a close season last year and I think it is likely we will see mixed results from this year throughout all clubs,” Perryman said.
“Round 1 will probably give the best indication, but it is probably too early to make any predictions.
“With Kalangadoo entering there are some Mount Gambier-based players who have shifted from their club last year to play for Kalangadoo.
“Kyby is really an unknown at this stage so it will be very interesting to see what unfolds over the eight-week season.”
