Senior Women’s teams from Mount Compass and SMOSH West Lakes had their opportunity to play on the big stage, thanks to Toyota Good for Footy.
The two sides faced off on Norwood Oval in a curtain raiser for Adelaide’s Round Six clash against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday 13 February.
Both Clubs participated in the 2021 Good for Footy Gear Grants, which gives 100 female teams grants of up to $1,600 in funding to help pay for new footy jumpers and shorts.
After an intense start, SMOSH West Lakes’ experience proved too strong, and they stormed home in a strong second half performance.
Having the opportunity to play on Norwood Oval and have access to their professional facilities was the perfect preseason hit out for the players, many of whom had only been playing football for the past few years.
SMOSH West Lakes player Georgie Evans said she could never have imagined an experience like this when she was a junior playing in mostly all-boy teams.
“It’s a huge privilege to be playing before an AFLW game,” Evans said.
“Growing up for me, I didn’t have any role models to look to and now there is AFLW I love that I have all these players to look up to.
“To be playing in front of them as the best in the business is unreal.”
Head coach Mount Compass Football Club Taylor Eastwood said the Toyota good for Footy program has been incredible for their Club.
“Today is another great opportunity for the girls, especially being from the country to come all the way out to Norwood before the Crows game is such an honour and the girls are loving every minute of it,” Eastwood said.
“We’ve been able to get new jumpers and the facilities we’ve been able to use with the grants have really grown our program and the girls have really benefitted from it.”
The Toyota Good for Footy program is a long-running initiative that supports grassroots footy clubs. The program includes the Toyota Good for Footy Raffle and initiatives such as providing uniforms for clubs, celebrating volunteers, sponsoring the AFL Inclusion Carnival, as well as dealer sponsorship in local communities.
To register your Club’s interest in participating the in the 2022 Good For Footy Raffle, please visit https://www.toyota.com.au/community/partnerships/afl-aflw/raffle
