Gisborne Football Netball Club needs some additional players to ensure it fields a strong women’s team at the top level in the Essendon District Football League next season.
Highly credentialed coach Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Marantelli has been working for several weeks with a core group to build up numbers.
“We need to make sure we have plenty of depth in our senior and Under 18 sides in 2025, and welcome inquiries from potential players now,” Bernie said.
Lack of players in the lead-up to the 2024 season led to Gisborne’s decision to withdraw from the EDFL for a season.
Marantelli began playing football in 1983, and has been in nine premiership sides, as well as winning two league best and fairests and several club B&Fs, also representing Victoria as a player and coach.
After coaching at various levels, Bernie spent three seasons at Strathmore leading up to a 2022 premiership and elevation to the Premier division.
“I thought I was retired, but Shannon McFerran convinced me to join Gisborne for 2025 … I previously coached Shannon and she was an outstanding player who captained Australia and ended up being rated in the top 100 Sportswomen.”
McFerran was Gisborne’s best and fairest in 2022 and 2023 and will continue playing with the Bulldogs in 2025, and be assistant coach to Marantelli.
The Bulldogs are very pleased to have such a very strong and accomplished duo at the top.
While some Gisborne players from 2023 joined other clubs in 2024, others are having a season off from football.
“I’m really enjoying the (coaching) role at Gisborne, but we need to build further for 2025,” the coach added.
Anyone women interested in playing for the Bulldogs in 2025 can contact Bernie on 0409 554 141, or email bmarantelli16@outback.com
Shannon McFerran.
