THE astute EDFL supporter will have already noticed that this weekend is the annual pink-themed game between Hillside and Glenroy to celebrate the involvement of Women in Football.
The event started as an idea brewed from the EDFL umpiring department to have an all-female umpiring panel to not only recognise the important contribution that women play in umpiring in the EDFL, but also to highlight the opportunities in umpiring for girls and women.
The initial support from Hillside and Glenroy four years ago has seen this contest between these two clubs develop into an annual event.
Hillside and Glenroy have been enthusiastic participants and supporters of the concept, to the extent that the game now features heavily in the calendar for each of these two clubs, with fundraising efforts and functions organised and commemorative jumpers worn by the two clubs.
The event this weekend, which is Hillside’s turn to host, will feature the Hillside senior players wearing a commemorative jumper to highlight the awareness of Breast Cancer Network Australia and White Ribbon Foundation. Fundraising initiatives have also been planned for the day for these two important causes.
Hillside has dubbed the whole weekend Ladies Round, covering all games played at Shark Park from Friday to Sunday this weekend
Supporters attending the games are encouraged to donate at the ground to these two worthy causes.
The umpiring panel will again be an all-female panel, with all umpires wearing a pink uniform on the day.
The EDFL has a strong contingent of female umpires within our ranks and the growth in the number of female umpires within the EDFL is a large reason for the EDFL’s umpiring numbers again reaching the 500 mark. But we are always looking to recruit more umpires and encourage anyone interested in umpiring to contact the EDFL.
It is also pleasing to see a number of the EDFL’s female umpires progress to the VFL. I’m sure it won’t be too long until the EDFL has our own Eleni Glouftsis or Chelsea Roffey umpiring at AFL level.
I take the opportunity to thank Glenroy and Hillside for their support of this initiative over the years; it is no surprise that these two clubs have been active in the growth of women in football, with both clubs fielding dedicated girls and/or women’s teams in the EDFL in 2017.
I would also like to thank Stacey Cartwright-Smith and the EDFL Umpires Association as the brainchild of the event. Stacey has been involved in every game since its inception.
Enjoy the weekend.
Marc Turri, EDFL CEO
