Sport
16 August, 2024
Laharum won't poach Horsham players as club affirms aim to grow the game
Laharum FNC and AFL affirm mandate to grow women's football.
Alongside representatives from the AFL, the Laharum Football and Netball Club affirmed its commitment to growing women's football through the Wimmera region as it pursues the launch of a women's football program for 2025.
And, while the Horsham Demons already have a successful women's program running, Laharum is not looking to take anything away from them.
"We want to attract girls that have never played, or perhaps haven't played for a few years ... that's what growing the game means," said Laharum FNC president Hamish Roberts.
"We won't be trying to poach players off Horsham Demons, there's no point in us fielding a side and robbing the [Horsham] Demons of players, that defeats the purpose of growing the game."
Laharum made its commitment to growing the game clear and with strong support as an estimated 60 people attended a community meeting about the club launching its own women's program for the 2025 season.
"It went really well, we had good numbers there, and the vibe was a really exciting one," said Roberts.
"The AFL people in attendance were really happy, we're feeling really positive about our prospects of getting teams up."
At the meeting, Roberts said the AFL affirmed it is working closely with Laharum to grow women's football in the region.
"What we'd all love to see in the future is to have several local teams playing from the Wimmera area," said Roberts.
"In time, we might be able to form a league that we're all playing in.
"Local girls playing locally would be the ultimate thing."
Roberts said Laharum FNC still has to launch its application to join the Western Victoria Female Football League.
"With the background work that's been going on with the AFL, we've got a really solid foundation," he said.
"I'm really confident with that foundation we're going to be able to make things happen."