There is no doubt that women’s sport is booming in Australia, and the next generation of stars could be among the girls in the Auskick program.
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A group of girls has been taking to the Benalla Showgrounds once a week for the past six weeks to get involved in Auskick sessions.
The program aims to introduce girls to the basics of Australian football, and coach Sam Heron, who has played her fair share of football, described it as a step in the right direction for female sport in rural Victoria.
Game time: Coach Sam Heron explains a game.
“It’s so important, being a female who has played a lot of football,” Heron said.
“It’s important, especially in country Victoria. I think there is some talent here that is going missing because of the lack of support that we have had over the years.
“Times are changing, and there are so many girls that want to play this game, so yeah, it’s very exciting.”
With women’s sport hitting a high in Australia, there are more opportunities than ever for girls to watch female athletes thrive, and Heron said the girls were doing just that.
“In a couple of weeks, the girls will go down to an AFLW game, which I think will be awesome to see the girls out there.
“The Matildas have helped that. I wasn’t a soccer fan, but now I am; I can’t help it.
“Seeing girls achieve those high standards is very important.”
With dedicated coaches like Heron and the enthusiasm shown by the Benalla Auskick girls, it will only be a matter of time before the Rose City is watching one or more of them on the biggest sporting stages.
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