Female junior footballers bring up maiden century

Junior girls’ football in the south-east has celebrated a significant milestone, with the first cohort of girls reaching 100 games recognised in a special ceremony at RSEA Park in Moorabbin.

The South Metro Junior Football League has two clubs that lie within Stonnington (Prahran & East Malvern), with over 2,000 registered female players across the league in 2022 – after the inaugural girls-only competition began in 2012 with just 275 players.

A total of 41 players attended the event, along with a number of special guests:

  • Anne-Marie Harrison (CEO, Victorian Institute of Sport)
  • Natalie Bond (Actor & writer)
  • Chantella Perera (Former AFLW & WNBL player)
  • Karen Pearce OAM (Executive Manager, Football Victoria)
  • Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda AFLW senior coach)

Three players from Stonnington clubs were among the 41 players in attendance: Brigette Jackson (Prahran JFC), Alexandra Calogero (East Malvern JFC, pictured above), and Tess Davey (East Malvern JFC).

MicrosoftTeams-image (14).png

Tess Davey (East Malvern JFC)

Female participation continues to grow across football and other sports, meaning investment in venues and facilities to accommodate that growth is vital.

Council is ensuring that not only are the on-field playing environments being improved for all footballers, but also that female footballers from under-9s through to seniors have the appropriate facilities off the field as well.

City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris, is delighted that Stonnington-based players from East Malvern and Prahran junior football clubs are among the cohort.

“I congratulate the South Metro Junior Football League and all the girls involved for this achievement, and I’m especially delighted that two clubs in Stonnington are part of the first wave of milestones.

“We’re proud to support the SMJFL through our Active Stonnington program, and I look forward to seeing more girls join Alexandra, Brigette and Tess on 100 games soon.”

MicrosoftTeams-image (15).png

Brigette Jackson (Prahran JFC)

/Public Release. View in full here.