Girls took to the field and courts en-mass these school holidays to learn their favourite sports from some talented and well-known coaches.
Among the instructors were former Castlemaine premiership player and current Richmond AFLW recruit, Shelby Knoll; Essendon VFLW player and Castlemaine local, Tia Davidge; and Suncorp Super netballer with the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Collingwood Magpies, Fiona Fowler.
Thanks to Castlemaine Football Netball Club, girls across the region can now dropkick, handball, pass and shoot with confidence and the whole program was free (with the support of a Change Our Game Community Action Grant) making it accessible for everyone.
More than 50 girls, ranging in age from six to 15 years, took part in the two-hour sports clinics held at Wesley Hill last Friday and the joy and passion from the participants and the coaches were obvious as the girls learned what it takes to become an elite athlete and the benefits of being involved in organised sport.
Experienced netballer Fiona Fowler, who has recently come on board at the CFNC as a coach, told the Express she was passionate about increasing female participation in sport.
“We wanted to provide opportunities for girls in the region and give them access to elite football and netballers,” Fowler said.
“Sports help kids learn life lessons about resilience, determination and courage, skills they can take into the rest of their lives.”
