FOOTBALL hasn’t traditionally provided many pathways for Collie women.
It is a situation replicated around the country, as women’s roles at clubs have typically been limited to off-field duties, providing support when and where required.
The barriers to involvement are, however, gradually being removed. There has been a shift in attitudes over the last decade, and clubs are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of social inclusivity.
Women’s football teams not only provide an avenue for clubs to form deeper community ties, but more players, members and spectators also help the bottom line.
This year the Collie Eagles returned to the South West Football League’s women’s competition, and while it’s been a tough year on the field, there’s already been strong off-field benefits.
The consensus among the team’s players is that women’s football has a strong future in Collie.
“We were never allowed to play when the boys were doing it when we were growing up,” said Morgan Becker. “So, now it’s available, why not?”
Eagles vice-captain Choe Underdown said attitudes to women’s football have changed, but admitted that there were some people who still did not want to watch women’s football.
“Fortunately, the majority of the people at the club do,” she said.
“We have huge community backing because we are all sisters, mothers, daughters, so we have that support.”
While the Eagles have yet to post a win in 2023, there has been a steady improvement.
Chloe points out that half of the players had never touched a football before this year, but were not lacking in endeavour.
“Women’s football contains more contesting than men’s,” she said.
“We’re tougher, we do whatever we can to get the ball, even if we can’t kick it far and we’ll bloody tackle someone!”
Morgan added that the team is confident it is heading in the right direction.  
“As a team, we’re quite proud of how we’re going,” she said. “We’re scoring and we’re achieving the goals that we’ve set ourselves.”
Kristylee Martin said the players have also been focused on having fun and enjoying their footy.
“Eventually that will lead into hopefully a little bit of team success by getting a few wins on the board,” she said. 
“At the moment, it’s all about team unity, and developing our skills along the way.”
Kristylee said the team will continue to build momentum throughout the remainder of the season. 
“I think we’re pretty well fast-tracked for a team that’s in its first year of the competition, and I’m pretty impressed with where these girls are at,” she said. “They’re tenacious, they’ve got drive, and they want to be here.”
Eagles football director Daniel Graham, who started in the role in September last year, said that fielding a women’s team had been identified as a priority.
Daniel said the Eagles want to become a more inclusive club and women’s participation was a logical point to start from.
“We’re in an era where women are entitled to play any sport they want to play,” he said. “If they want to play football, then they can play football.
“As a football club we’ve got to provide them with the opportunity to do so.”
The club appointed Matt Stevens as the women’s coach and set about generating local interest.
However, at a players information evening for both male and female players only two women showed up.
“It was a bit disheartening,” Daniel said. “But we decided from there that we’ve just got to work harder as there’s girls out there that want to play football.”
The team set its sights outside of Collie, and via the Stephen Michael Foundation connected with a number of Narrogin-based players. 
“In round one we had four Narrogin girls playing, and 16 players in total, so just what you can field,” Daniel said. “We had no one on the bench.
“From there, we had a couple of tough weeks where we didn’t score, but the girls were resilient and they have stuck to it.
“We’ve gone from round one, struggling to get a side, to this week having 22 players, with probably a couple missing out. It’s really great to see.”
Daniel said the club is strongly committed to continuing to grow women’s football in Collie.
He said Collie will host this year’s women’s round on Saturday, July 8.
“I really hope the community gets behind it,” Daniel said.
“We’re going to have a show here that night. 
“We’ve got four games of football. We want everyone to come down and watch them.”