Great to see everyone at our season launch last night! Huge thanks to everyone who pitched in to make it a success:
Food: Darren Hocking, Greg Hanlon, Jodi Stanley, Liz Mace & Brenna Mace
Bar: Livio Basile & Mark Read
Merchandise: Deb Costello & Evan Butterworth
Here’s to a stellar season ahead!
As our final profile in our Women’s History Month series, we’re highlighting Tomeeka Neil – 2023 Senior Women’s Premiership Co-Captain and 2024 Assistant Coach.
Growing up watching her brother play, she was always around the footy club. When whispers of a girl’s team surfaced, her dad wasted no time in enrolling her, knowing the opportunities it would offer for new friendships and experiences. Sure enough, she was part of St Mary’s Under 12s inaugural girl’s team and has never looked back.
Yet, the path was not without challenges. St Mary’s girls continually faced male opponents in the girls-only league as other clubs lacked sufficient players, resorting to boys filling in.
“I witnessed firsthand the hurdles we had to overcome in the early stages of girls and women’s footy. One of the biggest challenges was developing footy skills. Unlike the boys, who seemed to have footy ingrained in them from the time they could barely walk, us girls had to start from square one when we hit twelve. It felt like we were playing catch-up from the get-go.”
“While daunting at first, these challenges ultimately shaped my resilience and determination, making every moment of the past decade in footy incredibly rewarding and totally worth it.”
Reflecting on her proudest moments, Tomeeka highlights the growth and confidence of her teammates. As co-captain, she witnessed the transformation of players who kicked goals and took marks they never thought possible.
Of course, we can’t not mention the 2023 Premiership. But for Tomeeka it wasn’t just about the victory, but the journey taken with her team to get there. Through hard work they reached their Premiership goal and enjoyed every moment of the process.
“Running onto the field with an already injured ACL, seeing support from men’s teams, friends, family, and the community, made it all worthwhile. Experiencing such overwhelming support is unique to women’s footy—something I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have been part of.”
Transitioning into coaching this year while she recovers from injury was a natural progression for Tomeeka driven by her love for the Club and our people. “For me it has always been a place I see as home and the people as family. I couldn’t just walk away from that,” Tomeeka shared.
Beyond tactical guidance as backline coach, she aims to be a support for the players both on and off the field.
In the future, Tomeeka hopes women’s footy receives the support and resources it deserves at the local level. She advocates for better grounds and an extended season, providing more opportunities for teams and players to grow.
To other clubs, she emphasises the importance of a strong relationship between junior and senior clubs. This connection will not only filter talent seamlessly for the future and provides junior girls female role models in sport to look up to.
And for any girls and women thinking about getting involved she offers a simple yet powerful message: take the leap. The journey may be daunting, but the laughs, friendships, and memories created along the way are priceless.
Tomeeka’s journey, from a dedicated supporter watching her brother to a Premiership Captain and now coach, has been truly inspiring to witness. We can’t wait to watch her continues to grow at St Mary’s and know she will undoubtedly inspire many players to come.
We excited to share that St Mary’s 4 have won the Division 9 Premiership!
As a newly formed team they faced challenges at the outset, but through perseverance they steadily climbed the ranks to finish the season on top of the ladder.
Heading into the Grand Final against Fitzroy Stars 2, the stakes were high, with both teams having an equal number of wins and losses. Our previous match up against them came down to the wire, with only one goal between the winner and loser.
Today was our moment to shine, and we seized it the victory by a comfortable margin of 7 goals, after leading the entire game.
This win is a testament to the hard work of the players, Coach and Team Manager:
– Deb Costello (Coach)
– Jacinta Geary (Team Manager)
– Jessica Hardy (Team Captain)
– Frances Collis
– Lana Picioane
– Ava Geary
– Mikayla Young
– Georgia Rizza
– Cassie Pickett
– Tessa Pickett
– Sarah Williams
In more great news, Jess Hardy was awarded runner up in the Division 9 Best & Fairest, and Ciara Hanlon was awarded the Division 2 Leading Goal Scorer.
Here’s to celebrating our hard-earned success and looking forward to more achievements in the future.
To mark Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who have driven women’s sport in our community. Among these individuals is Bernie Girolami who has most certainly left his mark on women’s football at the grassroots level.
His journey into supporting women’s sports began with a personal connection — his three daughters’ involvement in various sports. Motivated by daughter Meg’s passion for footy and holding the role of Football Director at St Mary’s Junior Football Club, he saw an opportunity to establish a girls’ team. The expansive network of families associated with the club provided a huge pool of potential female participants. Some girls had initially joined junior boys’ teams but had to discontinue due to physical differences as they matured.
So, Bernie tackled the challenge of changing perceptions about football as a boys-only game, determined to provide equal opportunities for his daughters. His perseverance paid off, and he successfully established a girls’ football team.
Investing in girl’s sport proved to be a wise decision and the program gained momentum quickly.
“In our inaugural year, our goal was to establish one team, but to our surprise, we had three teams. As the girl’s football coordinator for eight years, I witnessed tremendous growth, with over 180 girls playing football at the club.”
In addition to being the coordinator, Bernie coached the under-12 girls at the Club and under-15 girl’s Division 1 representative side for YJFL Metro Junior championships.
This saw Bernie witness many milestones that have shaped the landscape of girl’s and women’s football within the community. Just some of the highlights for Bernie include:
However, one of Bernie’s proudest achievements lies simply in establishing pathways to broaden girl’s and women’s sporting opportunities. This goes beyond just playing the sport, offering a chance for women and girls to share their knowledge, giving them a more influential voice in the sporting world. A prime example is Matilda Eames, a current senior player, breaking barriers as the first junior female coach at St Mary’s, along with Alex Seiver’s role as the Youth Girls Auskick Coordinator. This approach introduces women as mentors in football for girls, a position normally held by men, and provides girls with relatable figures who share similar experiences in the sporting arena.
The junior girl’s teams are still going strong today, securing two premierships in 2023 thanks to the foundation that Bernie laid. His commitment was rewarded with Life Membership for him and his wife of the Junior Club in 2013.
Further, he takes immense pride the success of the 2018 youth girls’ premiership team which served as the foundation for the inaugural Senior Women’s team. Having a senior team ensured his efforts in promoting girl’s football could extend further; girls now had a pathway to continue football at St Mary’s.
This was particularly significant for Bernie as his own daughter’s Meg and Georgia now play in the Senior Women’s team and were integral members of the 2023 Premiership winning team!
“Watching Meg and Georgia win a football premiership made my journey come full circle. It really showed the enduring impact of the girl’s program, not just in fostering inclusivity and equality, but also in laying a clear pathway for them to excel in football.”
But the real reward for Bernie is seeing his kids succeed together.
“Nothing brings me more joy than seeing my Jimmy, Georgia and Meg share the experience of playing football and being part of a football club. It’s a unique opportunity for them to create shared memories.”
Bernie envisions several improvements in the coming years to enhance girls and women’s football. His focus includes developing natural footballers, promoting open play with free and clean ball movement and comprehensive skill development. Additionally, he’s dedicated to advancing injury management and rehabilitation strategies, drawing on La Trobe University’s studies revealing women’s heightened injury risk on the field. La Trobe’s findings indicate that 25,000 women playing AFL are susceptible to ACL injuries yearly, attributed to limited training exposure compared to men.
To clubs aspiring to support women and girl’s involvement in sports, Bernie offers valuable advice; create welcoming environments for female players. Organise tailored training sessions and events specifically for women and actively recruit female players. Ensure equal access to resources, facilities, and coaching staff. Crucially, foster a culture of respect, support, belonging, and opportunity within to drive women’s active participation and success in footy.
Bernie’s commitment remains and he continues to stay actively involved in football. Today, he finds joy in watching his daughters and son play, contributing not only as a proud parent but also as coach to the Senior Men’s Reserve team.
Bernie has been a driving force behind girls and women’s footy in our community. From coaching to coordinating, his passion has sparked a real change and allowed women’s sport to grow.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic person to manage the canteen activities for our St Mary’s Football and Netball Club in 2024. The main function of this role will be planning, organising, and monitoring the day to day operations of the canteen.
This is a paid position.
Dates required
9 Thursday night (for food delivery) and Saturday’s between April to August 2024.
Hours
Hours may vary but generally required between 12 noon to 5pm on dates above.
Key responsibilities
Relationships & Accountability
How to apply
Send your expression of interest to Mark Stanley, President at mstanley@asean.com.au and Rob Cotter, Vice President, robcotter2@gmail.com
In honour of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on individuals who have been instrumental in championing women’s sports at St Mary’s. Today, we’re highlighting the current Senior Women’s Premiership winning coach Troy Bickerton!
Troy’s passion for supporting girls and women’s sport began when his daughter Madi’s basketball team needed a coach. Not wanting his daughter or any of the other girls to miss out, he stepped up to the challenge and went on to coach for an impressive six years. Fast forward to today and he has now coached his daughter to a football Grand Final win!
Drawing from his own experiences as a footy player, Troy knew the tremendous benefits that come from being part of a football club. Motivated by wanting his wife and daughter to enjoy the same benefits, it didn’t take much for him to wholeheartedly get behind the women’s program with his wife Jess, a decision which has been incredibly rewarding.
“Witnessing my wife and daughter step outside of their comfort zones to play their first games of footy was a source of great pride for me. I love that playing footy has become something my whole family can share.”
Of course, one of the best rewards came in the form of winning the 2023 Grand Final. A massive achievement, especially considering the uncertainties surrounding the continuation of women’s footy when Troy and Jess took over after a one-year hiatus.
The fact that they not only revitalised the program but also clinched the premiership within a few short years is truly remarkable. It wasn’t just the win, but what the win represented for Troy. It symbolised the culmination of years of hard work by Troy and his own family, including son and Assistant Coach Hayden, his wife Jess, and many more in the St Mary’s community.
While celebrating the historic win, Troy expressed immense pride at witnessing how much the players had developed on and off the field, forming friendships that wouldn’t have existed without the women’s program.
“I’m glad that women have found a welcoming and inclusive community at St Mary’s, especially my own wife and daughter. Being even a small part of women experiencing the unique sense of belonging that a football club can offer, something traditionally only open to men, brings me great satisfaction.”
Looking to break down more barriers in the future, Troy envisions St Mary’s and other clubs having a Senior and Reserves Women’s sides, played in prime-time slots just like the men. He also advocates for the end of grading games within the women’s competition, believing in the strength of an elevation/relegation system to foster competition and aid player retention.
Nevertheless, support for women’s football has continued to grow. Troy has found it heartening to even see individuals who were once hesitant about the women’s program now being enthusiastic supporters.
“Seeing the Grand Final quarter time huddles filled with as many, if not more, supporters than the men’s finals teams, were surreal. It was a perfect representation of how our community is rallying behind women’s football.”
Troy strongly encourages other clubs to embrace women’s footy and encourages men to take a chance on getting involved as well. His number one piece of advice is to ensure that all teams are treated equally, underscoring the role of an inclusive and supportive culture in the whole Club’s success. He encourages simple yet impactful actions like shared Thursday night dinners and occasional joint training sessions.
“Everyone, regardless of skill level or gender, has something valuable to bring to the table. Embracing this diversity is what creates a stronger sense of community that drives success and growth within the Club,” Troy shared.
Troy’s impact on women’s football at St Mary’s is nothing short of amazing. His commitment and vision have created a competitive team on the field and a close-knit community off it. Troy is excited about what the future holds for women’s footy, particularly for his team as they embark on the journey into Division 1 this year.
Happy International Women’s Day!
This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion. It underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality.
The theme resonates deeply within our club, as it is a well known fact that women are undervalued in the sporting arena. As a Club, we are united in the belief that true progress requires embracing the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all backgrounds. We hope to continue to champion an environment where every player feels valued and respected.
Here, our Senior Women’s Football team are proudly striking the #InspireInclusion pose, celebrating our commitment to fostering diversity within our sporting Club.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting people that have been a driving force behind women’s sports at St Mary’s.
To kick off, we’re talking to Jessie Bickerton, current Senior Women’s Team Manager and Football Manager, committee member, former player, unofficial Club photographer and much, much more.
Growing up, Jess was always immersed in the world of sports, so when St Mary’s first floated the idea of a Senior Women’s footy team, she jumped at the chance to play knowing the transformative impact sports had on women.
Regrettably, the women’s team faced setbacks, leading to a year-long hiatus. However, when Jess’ daughter Maddie showed keen interest in joining the team after seeing her mum’s positive experience at St Mary’s, Jess and her husband went straight to the President to garner support to re-ignite the women’s program. Their vision was not merely about football; it was about creating a space where all women could enjoy the benefits of team sport.
Despite their passion, it wasn’t always easy due to many misconceptions that often-deterred women from playing senior football. Jess noticed how girls often built-up intimidating images of opponents as tough and scary, when, in reality, the opponents mirrored their own team. Some women were also intimidated by the close relationship with the men’s sides at the Club. However, Jess explained these fears quickly dissipate when they realise the men are there for the same reason as them.
“The culture shift within the Club has been remarkable; the women’s team has brought a whole different dynamic that everyone has benefitted from.”
“The mutual support between the men and the women is incredible and truly illustrates that at our core we are one Club. It’s the shared sense of purpose that allows all players regardless of gender to thrive at St Mary’s.”
However, this doesn’t mean women’s football isn’t still facing challenges. Senior Women’s teams are often relegated to smaller and sub-standard grounds with Senior and Junior men’s teams getting preferential treatment, reflecting a broader societal issue of the undervaluation of women’s sports. This is one thing Jess would love to see changed, acting as a tangible step toward giving women equal respect and value in the sporting arena.
Anyone who has met Jess knows that the pride she feels for the women’s team is palpable.
“Watching this group of diverse women be each other’s biggest supporters is a deeply fulfilling experience. Such support is unfortunately uncommon, but it is unmistakably evident in our team.”
The pinnacle was undoubtably winning the Grand Final last season, fulfilling a team goal they set in 2021, but Jess also described admiration in moments that may go unnoticed by anyone else.
A standout memory was during a challenging game against Fitzroy Stars. St Mary’s was trailing by 4 points in the shocking weather conditions. One of the less confident players was given a free kick, with time running out, she went for a goal which won St Mary’s the game. Watching every single teammate run to her to celebrate was described by Jess as “the most amazing feeling” because it showed the essence of the team.
“These women don’t judge each other based on football ability. They rally around each other because they recognise and appreciate that they’re all great people.”
“It’s this type of culture and support that has always fuelled their determination and led to them winning our first Women’s Grand Final.”
For Jess, being involved in women’s footy has been an enriching experience, attesting that there are no drawbacks to getting involved in grassroots womens sport – only rewards.
“The sense of accomplishment you feel knowing that you are part of women succeeding together, lifting each other up and creating long-lasting friendships is incredible.”
“I am very proud that we have created a safe space for women to give footy a go, but equally proud that we’ve made it much more than the game itself. St Mary’s is a place where everyone is free to be themselves, and many women are drawn to it for this reason.”
Jess herself cites the incredible women she wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for footy, and describes having a diverse group of women supporting you in life as a “pretty great feeling.”
As such, her commitment to women’s football is unwavering, and Jess will always continue to advocate for the needs of the women’s program.
Her advice to those considering starting a women’s team – “Just do it!” Despite the occasional sleepless nights and tears, Jess reassures that the stress of getting a team up is undeniably worth it.
Through Jess’s efforts, St Mary’s has become more than a place where women go to play footy; they find a supportive community that celebrates everyone.
Jess has been instrumental in shaping women’s football at St Mary’s, and we know that her impact will be felt for years to come and continue to inspire more women to get involved in footy.
Last week, our current and upcoming Club leaders gathered for their second session with leading sports performance specialist David Buttifant who has over 25+years of experience working with AFL club and Olympic athletes.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the emphasis on instilling specific values and behaviours within our Club’s culture. David facilitated open discussions that encouraged leaders to reflect on the principles that should be the driving force behind every action and decision. The goal is to create a cohesive environment that fosters collaboration, resilience, and ultimately success on and off the field.
While the specific values and behaviours discussed during the session will be unveiled by our leaders soon, the overarching theme revolves around building a culture that focuses on the collective strength of the team rather than individuals.
Our netball teams had an awesome time at sponsor Jaga Jaga last night!
The players cashed in their Best on Ground vouchers to enjoy delicious pizza and cocktails before taking on trivia. With minds as sharp as their on-court skills, they won trivia and will no doubt return to Jaga Jaga soon to spend the $100 winning prize.
Jaga Jaga has been a fantastic supporter of netball the last two seasons, giving away $900 worth of vouchers to reward our players for their sporting efforts. Here’s to more great times at Jaga Jaga soon!
SMFNC