The first ever female football match under lights was played at Lancefield on a cold Friday night.
The Lancefield Under 15 girls made the finals with a 13.15 to 1.1 victory over Melton South.
District MP Mary-Anne Thomas gave a pre-match pep talk to inspire the young Tigers, and along with Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson, stayed for the whole game.
“I’m thrilled that we (state government) were able to chip in the $209,000 needed to make this dream a reality,” Ms Thomas said. The shire council and junior and senior football clubs also made significant contributions.
Junior football club president Bill Balcam said the lights are so good, and suggested the next priority should be new changing rooms and facilities for Lancefield Park.
Some of the young Tigers had never played any sport prior to trying out for footy.
Football coordinator Jacqui Green said the club hopes to have two female teams next season.
The Lancefield girls’ team is coached by Joe Schembri who congratulated all the players on their efforts in making the finals. He also commended Melton South on their improvement.
Goal kickers for the Lancefield side were Amy O’Meara 6, Sarah Huggins 3, Lauren Bourkouras 2, Grace Osmond and Jemma Wilkins.
Best players listed were O’Meara, Milika Fortune, B. Layton, Huggins, Mia Ferguson and Emily Cowen.
Leading into the finals, which took place on Sunday, Lancefield boys’ teams had some inspiration from the Tigers’ senior coach Tom Waters, and former Melbourne star Todd Viney, now a Lancefield resident.
