The MCC Women’s Football Team kept their maiden Finals aspirations within grasp following a 24-point win over Swinburne University at Beaumaris Secondary College last weekend.
The Demons made use of a gentle breeze that favoured the southern end of the first term, and were never headed in the 7. 8. (50) to 4. 2. (26) win.
Aish Ravi was the prominent target up forward with four goals, while Grace Cavallaro and Eleisha Baker provided run-and-carry across the ground.
The win was heightened by the Demons sporting rainbow socks in celebration of their VAFA League-endorsed ‘Pride Match’, promoting equality and inclusivity on the same weekend that the city of Melbourne celebrated the annual Midsumma Festival.
MCC Women’s Football Chair, Nicole Hall said the rainbow socks initiative was one taken to the Committee by the playing group.
“The one thing that we were so proud of is that the initiative was driven by the players,” Hall said.
“They really pushed us to be a part of the Pride Match and to promote that inclusive environment, which is one of the really strong values of our club.”
It’s another stepping stone for the Women’s Football Team, a sporting section of the MCC that was only born in 2018.
Participating in Division 4 of the VAFA Women’s competition, the Demons sit fourth on the table with an even 3-3 win-loss record. But according to MCC Committee Member and Women’s Football Section Founding Chair, Annabel Brebner, the journey of the team has been about more than wins and losses.
“There is a real space for women who have never played footy before, to have that opportunity, and to come and make all the mistakes that everyone else is going to make (playing the game),” Brebner said.
“Women deserve their own space to play sport, and they deserve that space at all levels.
“We know that there are certain age groups that women and girls stop playing organised sport, and we (the MCC Women’s Football Team) really want to be a part of turning that around.”
For Demons’ vice-captain and one of the Club’s inaugural players, Alex Clayton, her desire to play sport came from the inspiration of women playing sport at the top level.
“Seeing the AFLW on the TV, I really wanted to get involved,” Clayton said.
“I just reached and found the MCC...and it’s been an absolutely fantastic team to join. It is such a community and for me, as someone who has never played before, it’s been such a good support.”
Women’s Football co-coach, Rebecca Ticli – who shares the reigns with former Melbourne AFL champion, Russell Robertson – said the on-field performance comes from creating the off-field environment.
“We work really hard on getting the skill level up, but more importantly I’m the kind of coach that likes to build really strong, positive relationships with my players, and that the team collectively is on board and that our culture is really strong,” Ticli said.
And for Chair, Nicole Hall, they are trending in the right direction.
“We’ve had lots of feedback from family members and parents about their daughters and family members who are progressing in their confidence levels,” Hall said.
“We’ve got girls here who have never played team sport before and just love it.”
The Demons meet the third-placed De La Salle away from home this weekend.
VAFA WOMEN’S – DIVISION 4
MCC FOOTBALL CLUB 2.5 4.7 6.8 7. 8. (50)
SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY 0.0 3.0 3.0 4. 2. (26)
GOALS
MCCFC: Ravi 4, Stein, Baker, Ashkar
SWINBURNE: Wurfel 3, Hart
BEST
MCCFC: Cavallaro, Dorning, Stein, Hayward, Baker, Ravi
SWINBURNE: McHenry, Hart, Davidson, Oleinikov, Wurfel, Coleman