Darebin Falcons
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| Full name | Darebin Falcons Women's Sports Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname | The Falcons |
| Strip | Red and Blue guernsey with white lighting bolts, red or blue shorts and socks |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Sport | Women's Australian rules football |
| League | Victorian Women's Football League |
| First season | |
| Ground | A.H. Capp Reserve |
| Club song | The Falcons Rock |
| President/Chair | Trish Riddell |
| Coach | 1st- Peta Searle, 2nd Stace Bourke |
| Captain | 1st Kerryn Stephens and Daisy Pearce 2nd Brooke King and Niki Duckstein |
| 2007 | 1st (undefeated) |
The Darebin Falcons have two Australian rules football teams competing in the Victorian Women's Football League - a team in Division One and a team in Division One Reserves.
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[edit] The Beginning
In 1990, a small group of women in Northcote wondered what it would be like to play Australian Rules football. Upon contacting the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL), it was discovered that the Fairfield Falcons were looking like folding after three seasons in the competition. There was only one player from the team who wanted to continue playing with the Falcons. Other players had decided to transfer to other clubs or hang up their boots.
News travelled fast - there was a women's football team being re-established at Fairfield Park and the number of women wanting to play football grew to over 30. Only a handful of women had played football at high school, some had played kick to kick with their brothers and others had never touched a football before. The one thing they had in common was that they all loved football and wanted to give it a try.
After a season of developing skills and confidence on the field and club and team spirit off the ground, it was decided the Falcons would move from Fairfield Park and relocate to Northcote. A new home ground was found in McDonell Park. Northcote City Council (now City of Darebin) had set aside McDonell Park as a women's sporting ground. In 1991 it became the home ground to the Fairfield Falcons Women's Football Club.
[edit] The Early Years
During the Falcon's first six seasons, the club worked hard to establish themselves to be a consistent presence in the VWFL competition. The teams on field performances improved with each season. Although the Falcons had only appeared in one semi final, membership was growing and the social environment that exists in successful sporting clubs had become an important aspect of the club. In 2000, the Fairfield Falcons Womens Football Club changed their name to the Darebin Women's Sports Club. The name change was a result of the club wanting to branch out and provide various sports to its members and the Falcons wanted their name to truly indicate their location.
[edit] VWFL Premiers
The season of 1996 is one Darebin will never forget. The recruitment of experienced players and the commitment of the team resulted in the Falcons winning important games throughout the season, which consolidated their position on the VWFL ladder.
The Falcons won every game in the second half of the season and secured first position on the ladder. The team convincingly won the semi final against the St Kilda Sharks and in the following week the Falcons appeared in their first grand final.
The Sunshine Spurs took early control of the game and even though Fairfield were six goals behind at half time, the Falcon's loyal supporters inspired a determination in the team that had never before been witnessed at the club. The Falcons won the grand final by 13 points.
2002 saw the club again expand with the inclusion of a second Australian football team, now providing opportunity for more women to participate.
2005 saw the Falcons make the Grandfinal for the Premier Division, eventually going down to Melbourne University. However, this game set them up for the grandfinal in 2006, where the Falcons again played Melbourne University. This time the Falcons would come out winners, with the Premier Reserves team going down to St Kilda in their final.
2007 was the most successful season for the club, with both the Premier Division and Premier Reserves both going through the season undefeated. Both teams capped off great seasons with convincing wins in their respective grand finals. All players and social club members are hoping that this onfield success will continue for season 2008.
The success of the Darebin Womens Sports Club has been possible because of a strong commitment from players, club members and supporters - all of whom have a passion for women's sport. Another factor that has enabled the growth and success of the club, is the continued assistance extended from the City of Darebin and club sponsors. This commitment and the support for women's sport is unique and will enable the Darebin Falcons to continue to grow as a women's sporting club.
Darebin Women's Sports Club has over 130 registered playing members and another 30 registered as volunteers and social members of the club.
The Darebin Falcons have one Soccer team competing in the Football Federation Victoria Women's State League Div 2 North West.
The Darebin Falcons have one Cricket team competing in the Cricket Victoria women's league.
The Darebin Falcons have one Eightball team (the Darebin Devils) competing again in 2008.
[edit] External links
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