Sport
21 February, 2025
Redbacks hunt new additions to the web
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks have officially kicked off their preseason, encouraging women across the district to give football a go.
The Lady Redbacks will be looking to build off their 2024 campaign where they grabbed a memorable victory against the Bacchus Marsh Cobras before being eliminated in the elimination final.
Simon Booker has been named senior head coach for the Lady Redbacks this season, taking over from Steve Atkinson and Matthew Johns while Caitlin Butler will continue her role as assistant coach.
Formerly the team’s runner last season, Booker said he is motivated to build off the successes of the Lady Redbacks during their short history.
“My idea is to build on the efforts of those who have gone before me like Atkinson, Johns, Greg and Caitlin Butler,” he said.
“The people before me have done an outstanding job of breaking the stigma that women don’t play footy which sits around some areas and saying girls can have a go and they can have a good time doing it.
“They have made a really good effort to get a women’s team in the district started, so my role is to try to refine that and expand into making it a district women’s team rather than just Carisbrook itself.”
The Lady Redbacks will once again be fielding a junior side this season, with Dean Jardine and Jason Evans named as co-coaches while Rhani Evans will be the team’s assistant coach.
Booker said the club is actively integrating the two sides during preseason, creating a fun, energetic and supportive environment.
“We are trying very hard to have the juniors and the seniors train together so they can all learn the same things throughout preseason,” he said.
“With my experience in footy, I can give them a little bit of a heads up on the structures they are ready to learn and practice to make the game easier for them.
“They can get extra tips and ask a lot of questions which they do and have fun practising it.
“We want to give the opportunity for some of [the juniors] to even step into the seniors, knowing enough about what they have learned in preseason and getting used to the older girls they are training with now, they are developing some relationships.”
With preseason just starting, Booker is encouraging all women interested in giving football a go to come to a training session and see what it’s all about.
“I encourage anyone who is interested in not only footy but expanding their social network to come down, have a train [and] see if they like it,” he said.
“You don’t need to have any experience whatsoever to come down and have a train and immerse yourself in a new group.
“You are never too old or too young to give something a go — we had girls who played their first year of footy at 50 last year and they found it terrific.
“You might be surprised how much you like it until you actually have a go.”
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks train on Wednesday nights at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve from 5.45 pm.