Getting the girls involved

26.07.2012

Caulfield United Cobras' first senior women's team are the first step in the club's goal for increased female participation.

Caulfield United Cobras has been around since 1985 and up until recently their female participation has revolved around juniors. This year things are changing, however, with the newly created Caulfield United Cobras senior women’s team kicking goals on and off the pitch.



Football Federation Victoria’s recently announced strategic plan outlined a goal of increasing female playing numbers by 32 percent by 2015 and Caulfield United’s commitment to providing more opportunities to women at their club is great to see.



After a meeting in October last year between club president George Karagounis and head coach Yianni Galanis it was agreed that they would try and put together a team in the Women's State League Three South-East competition.



Since its inception, the team has gone from strength to strength, currently sitting six points clear at the top of the State League Three South-East table and looking odds-on to be playing in State League Two next year.



George said that increasing female participation at Caulfield United was a major priority.



“Having had an almost blank canvas to work with, I had a clear vision for where I wanted the female participation to go for this club and the first stage was to set up a senior women’s team,” he said.



“This could only be achieved with a coach who had the passion for the women’s game, and after meeting Yianni for the first time I was convinced that he was the right man for the job.”



George and Yianni met for over two hours and put their plan together on several napkins and with a handshake walked away with the knowledge that they would move forward as quickly as possible to form the new women’s team. George would work on the administration side and Yianni on the playing roster.



Within a couple of months it was all coming together with the assistance of Football Federation Victoria and the Glen Eira Council as club secured Marlborough Reserve in Bentleigh East as a home ground.



“This was an important acquisition for the overall structure of the girls side of the club as it gives them their own venue to train and ensures they can be developed by all our coaches under one roof,” said George.



“Furthermore, I was able to secure a sponsor for the girls in Solar Freedom Australia.”



On the playing side of things, coach Yianni Galanis was working hard putting all his contacts to good use trying to form a squad that was going to be competitive in its first year. Yianni has been involved in women’s football for over a decade and was able to put together a strong playing list from his previous connections.



“It was difficult early as is always the case when you are trying to put something together from scratch, but we persevered and the word quickly spread and we had to turn girls away at the end,” said Yianni.



“It was very evident to me after four weeks of pre-season that we had the makings of something special. The girls were just so eager to take everything in that I was trying to teach them.



“So we made it clear that the goal for us would be to become champions in our first year and get promoted into State League Two.”



With five games currently left until the end of the season the girls have been superb as they sit on top of the State League Three ladder.



Over the previous two rounds they have beaten the third and second placed teams respectively, almost guaranteeing championship glory.



The Cobras are not planning to rest on their laurels either, with George already planning on increasing female participation even further.



“Next year the goal is to introduce another women’s team and add another three junior girls teams. The interest and enquiries are there, the challenges will be facilities and coaches,” he said.



“I believe with the support of the community, FFV, Glen Eira Council and local politicians we will be able to overcome some of the issues. I can’t wait for season 2013.”

http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/index.php?id=17&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2012&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=07&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=639&cHash=bd0ccdf058b9696e52ae0dd730399d68