Night games ahead for Lilydale footballers

Lilydale Football club members are looking forward to attracting more female and male players and playing at night after Council installed new LED lighting at the oval.

Lilydale Football Club President Anthony Simmons said the teams would no longer have to train using only half the field at night.

“We can utilise the whole of the ground now that the lights will be of a decent standard and playing will be safer for everyone,” Mr Simmons said.

“The club can now train properly at night and host matches too.

“Previously, we could only train on half the ground because of the quality of the lights.”

The club has four girls and women’s teams and the demand for female participation has grown after interest coming from players in the junior ranks.

“Our first female team formed about four years ago and we knew we needed to secure decent facilities including proper showers, which we did fund, in order to attract more players,” Mr Simmons said.

Club member Zoe said she got really involved and found she loved the game after a friend invited her to training.

“Being able to kick a footy for the first time and then kicking and joining in with the boys at school made me love football a bit more,” Zoe said.

“There is a really friendly and inviting environment that makes me want to keep coming back.

“It’s really fun.”

Club member Millie said Aussie Rules was a really good team sport and she had got to learn key leadership skills.

“I’ve been playing with Lilydale falcons for three years,” Millie said.

“I’m hoping to better myself and meet new people and become better at working with others.

“I really enjoy the adrenaline rush, it gives you a feeling like no other.”

Club member Sophie said she get in contact with the club after receiving a note about the girls team at school.

“I wasn’t sure about it at first but then my sister Zoe started playing and I did one training session and I really enjoyed it so I started playing,” Sophie said.

Cr Terry Avery said it was wonderful to hear that more than 60 girls’ and women’s Aussie Rules Football teams were expected to register across Yarra Ranges, compared to 43 last year.

“We’re really excited that we can help clubs ensure their facilities are of a high standard so more training and games can be scheduled,” Cr Avery said.

The new LED lighting system will improve the facility by increasing lighting levels to conform to the Australian Standard for club competition 100 lux average, consisting of 16 lighting heads mounted on four new 25 metre masts.

The total project worth $205,000 has been funded with $25,000 from Lilydale Football Club, $70,000 from the State Government’s Sport and Recreation Victoria grant program and $110,000 from Yarra Ranges Council’s sports field renewal program.