Lancefield Football Netball Club has secured a coup for women footballers in the district.
Not only will the Tigers be launching a new women’s football team for season 2024 but they have appointed former Collingwood AFLW assistant and midfield coach, and multiple premiership winner, Chris Clifton, to lead the team.
It’s a move that highlights how seriously Lancefield FNC is approaching women’s football as few teams can offer the leadership and experience that Clifton brings to the club.
He provides a unique set of skills and experience gained through over 25 years in the Australian Defence Force where he is still employed.
From a footballing perspective, Clifton has more than 15 years’ coaching experience including three premierships.
He was also part of the team that took Collingwood to their first finals campaign in the AFLW as well as being named 2019 ACT Women’s Team Coach of the Year and 2018 NSW/ACT Senior Coach of the Year.
While being part of a successful AFLW program and having experience within talent pathways and AFL academies, Clifton developed a very good understanding of what a high-performance environment looks and feels like.
He is passionate about improving others and developing growth within the team, and players.
Lancefield club president Joe Schembri said the Tigers were thrilled to put their hand up and start a women’s program.
“We have a number of junior girls’ sides but previously there hasn’t been a women’s side for them to advance to. Well, we decided to fix that.
“Having someone like Chris at the helm, with all the experience and success he brings, means we can build something to give players in this district the chance to be the best they can be.”
Announcement of a women’s team comes on the back of a huge resurgence at the club after a much-improved showing from the senior men’s team under coach Tim Bannan last year.
NETBALL BOOST
In netball, the club earlier scored a coup for 2024 by attracting former RDFNL premiership winner and Coach of the Year recipient Ciara Stewart (ex-Macedon) to coach the A and B grade sides.
“We’ve got a great group of people surrounding our club. Five netball teams for the first time ever, three male football teams and now a women’s football side, it’s an incredible achievement for a club of our size,” Schembri said.
“The place is bursting at the seams and I know everyone is really excited about welcoming our new women footballers.
“Sure, we want to win as many games as possible and develop our players to be the best they can be but, make no mistake we want everyone to have as much fun as possible too.”
The club has put a call out for trainers, assistant coaches, plenty of general volunteers, indeed anyone who wants to get involved on the ground floor of women’s football in Lancefield.
“Get in touch, you don’t need any experience, we’ll train you, support you and you’ll have a lot of fun along the way,” Schembri said.
Those interested can email the club at lancefieldfnc@gmail.com or contact team manager Emma Condron on 0416 008 150.
Training for the new women’s team is set to kick off this Wednesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 13, at 6.30pm before a Christmas break.
