Goulburn Murray’s young football stars have been recognised for their impressive 2024 seasons by being selected for the region’s representative side.
On Friday, a Goulburn Murray Under-15 Girls 22-player side was announced for the upcoming V/Line Cup from September 23-25 in Ballarat.
The Goulburn Murray squad will play two matches, one against the North East Border Bushrangers and the other against the Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
Goulburn Murray Bushrangers coach Sam Heron said the level of talent across the region was growing year upon year.
“You can definitely tell the girls who have had a footy in their hand their whole lives instead of someone like me,” Heron said.
“Footy wasn’t a thing I could do when I was a young girl, so it is very exciting for young girls today.
“There are some very talented girls around our region, which is really exciting.
“I just want the girls to see what it is like at the highest level and have a bit of fun playing at that level.”
Goulburn Murray Bushrangers Under-15 Girls V/Line team
Philippa Bain, Madison Knight, Ava Kruizinga, Tamika Muller, Madelynn Price (Barooga), Sienna Brennan (Tatura), Chloe D’Elia, Tabatha Ingham, Jammisyn Lavis, Ashanti Walker (Shepparton United), Lily Dunham, Matilda Fowler (Echuca), Willow Foster (Wangaratta Rovers), Phoebe Guppy (Mansfield), Mia Heard, Sienna Heard, Jamie Nash (Alexandra), Breanna Lane (Seymour), Charlie Martin (Moama), Summer McIver, Olivia Thompson, Addison Wardle (Nathalia)
In terms of young guns to watch, Heron said there are a couple that football lovers should keep an eye out for.
“There is a young girl named Ashanti Walker; she is a very handy footballer who plays for ‘Shepp’ United,” she said.
“Also, Tabatha Ingham, who also plays for Shepp United.
“Tabatha will play through the middle and Ashanti will have a go up forward and through the middle a few times as well.
“There are a few girls from Barooga that this will be the first time they get to play at this high level, being the first time they are in the competition, which is pretty exciting.”
The under-15 representative side is stacked with young talent; Heron said the selection of a junior Seymour gun highlights this.
“There is a young girl from Seymour, Breanna Lane,” she said.
“She is a very exciting footballer; she is a little goal sneak and she is going to be a little gun in the future and she is only 12, so that is pretty exciting.
“She is very handy.”
Heron was awarded the Peta Searle Female Coach of the Year award at the 2023 AFL Victoria Community Awards after guiding Seymour’s under-16 boys side to a flag, completing an undefeated season.