Sport
13 April, 2023
Carisbrook Lady Redbacks prepare for return to senior competition this weekend
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks are prepared to make their long awaited return to the Ballarat Football League Women’s senior competition on Sunday. The Lady Redbacks had to withdraw from the competition in 2022 after a reasonably successful 2021, in...
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks are prepared to make their long awaited return to the Ballarat Football League Women’s senior competition on Sunday.
The Lady Redbacks had to withdraw from the competition in 2022 after a reasonably successful 2021, in which they had won five games out of nine and made finals which were canned due to COVID lockdowns.
But the club used the opportunity to develop some junior players through the under 14 and under 18 program, with the under 18s ultimately playing finals despite going winless.
With new players joining the program throughout the off-season, the club now has sufficient numbers to play in the senior competition, and will start their campaign on Sunday against Bacchus Marsh at Maddingley Park.
Led by new senior coach Matthew Johns, with Steve Atkinson and Daniel Petter alongside him, Johns says that he feels good about the season ahead, and will take it week-by-week as he continues to prioritise development for the team.
“I’ve said to the girls that I expect them all to enjoy it, have fun, and we’ll take it week-by-week. As long as we are enjoying it, and having a good time, we’ll work on the winning later,” he said.
“We’ll go out there and take it as it comes for round one. We’ll adjust to any situation that is thrown at us.”
Johns said that while a few girls will be missing this week due to Easter and holidays, he’ll aim to continue building the team’s skills throughout the season.
“I’m feeling good. We still have a few away for Easter and holidays, as well as other commitments, but we’ll go out with the best side we can and continue to build on that throughout the season,” he said.
“I expect that we will take it week-by-week. As long as we can improve and be better by the end of the year, and taking something out of it, that will be a success.”
The pre-season program has seen a constant stream of players train at Carisbrook throughout, with sessions that prioritised on their skills and fitness, while the club were also able to invite AFLW players to help fast-track their skill development, inviting Collingwood’s Carisbrook-local Lauren Butler and Essendon’s Avoca-local Paige Scott to training.
With construction on the new female-friendly clubrooms at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve being completed, the club will be playing its first six games away from home, before construction is due to be completed prior to their round seven game against reigning premier Redan.
Johns says that it is a good chance to build camaraderie throughout the early passage of the season, while he says that the return of the team to the Ballarat senior ranks is “brilliant” for the town and the wider area.
“It’s brilliant for the community. The girls are excited by it, and I hope it encourages others to come down and have a go,” he said.
Check out The Advertiser’s season preview for the Carisbrook Lady Redbacks in today’s Football and Netball Preview on Page 18.