By JARROD POTTER
FOOTBALL is only one aspect for the newly formed Endeavour Hills Women’s Football Club.
It seems an odd thing to say but under the direction of Beehive Foundation founder Mark Haughton – who is the coach of the inaugural Falcons’ team – Endeavour Hills wants to pursue more than just on-field success in 2015.
Outreach is critical – junior female football development was one of the first steps the club took even before their first match and the other key tenant of Falcons’ football will be community service with the elderly – whether cutting lawns, cooking meals or just giving them company.
Their community-minded focus and attention to personal development has seen the Falcons’ ranks balloon beyond 50 players, allowing Haughton and his team – including three assistant coaches Josh Downes, Marcus Kleinhardt and Nick Buxton – to expand to two teams this season.
“Footy is much more than playing on a Sunday,” Haughton said.
It affects everything that you do and all the girls have plugged into this mindset.”
It’s an amazing effort for a new team to generate such interest, but it all comes down to the player-first attitude at Endeavour Hills.
“One of the girls brought a girl from work – she was a first-timer – and she couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt here, so she brought another and a whole bunch of new girls have come down,” Haughton said.
“That’s what it’s all about – I love watching the girls develop as footballers.
“Just really proud – I’m excited to give this many women an opportunity to play footy and coming into the club, just to be able to do something great for the community is really thrilling.”
Even though they’re not solely footy minded, Haughton admits the natural competitors among the group are keen to hit the ground running this season and hopefully chalk up a few wins en route to the finals.
“You’ll ask the girls and they say they want to play finals – which is what you want to hear as a coach – but the realistic goal is that we create an inclusive culture that people will knock on our door next season to join us,” Haughton said.
The club has practice matches against Cranbourne and Rosebud on the last weekend of March, before it kicks off its first VWFL campaign on Sunday 19 April with Division 3 away at Bayswater while the East Division team faces AFL Gippsland.
The club is seeking sponsorship for its teams and players. For more information about Endeavour Hills WFC, contact coach Mark Haughton on endeavourhillswomen@hotmail.com or 0452 205 929.
