To have more girls playing more Australian football, more often. Such is the gist of our club's vision statement. Getting women involved in our game and passing on a love for the sport is a goal that many around our football club strive toward daily. Whether by leading training sessions, kicking a footy in the park or sitting down to watch an AFL match with friends, each Kookaburra is an integral part of the successes that our club has enjoyed over the past two years.In reviewing our season to date, I happened upon some statistics concerning the growth of women's footy in Alberta. Though statistics can be interpreted to support any argument, I believe these show we are on the right track in 2009.
After four rounds of the Alberta Footy Women's League, one exhibition match during the Stampede Cup and a trip over the Rocky Mountains to Canadian Nationals in Vancouver, we have had 72 Alberta women play footy in 2009. That's up 80% on the 40 women that played during the entire 2008 season. Encouragingly, 24 of those players are from our Edmonton expansion club, which indicates that footy is putting down strong roots in central Alberta. So we are definitely achieving our aim of 'more girls playing'.
More enlightening yet from a coaching perspective are stats showing the level of dedication to footy that our members exhibit. Each time a player runs out onto the ground, they gain experience. This is especially critical in a challenging footy environment like Canada, where the weather often cruels our outdoor skills acquisition, fields are scarce and where new recruits often lack even a basic knowledge of our sport. I believe it takes at least 15 games played for the average Canuck to grasp fundamental concepts and begin to understand our sport's nuances.
During the entire 2007 season, 72 'player games' were recorded, denoting each time a girl participated in a footy match. That increased to 305 player games in 2008, as we founded a local league competition and went on to triumph at US Nationals. This year to date, we have amassed 407 player games, with half a season yet to play. That's up 33% on last year, and whilst this statistic says nothing of our improvement as a footy club, I feel that our players' skill and game understanding are increasing monthly. The Emus have been a factor in this increase, with 104 player games of experience to date. We are definitely playing 'more footy', and playing it 'more often'.
Alberta boasts the largest concentration of women's footballers outside Australia, and our sport continues to grow nationwide. When I first coached our national team in 2007, each player in the Canada squad had yet to play a match. Two seasons on (this week), our most-experienced club players are approaching their 50-game milestones. Kathryn Zakus (35 games), Lori Bossert (34) and Elise Botero (34) are among our club members who will have served lengthy apprenticeships by the time Canada tackles the USA again in August 2010.
Life is more than the sum total of statistics, it is about experiencing something more complex than what is obvious. I am proud to be associated with this football club and each training session, game, social event and national championship excites and rewards us all. Keep enjoying your football and together we will go back-to-back at US Nationals in October. That's one impressive statistic!
Go Kookaburras!
Jake Anson
Calgary Kookaburras President
