It was clear skies this weekend for the Hawks to soar into Wonthaggi, as the Box Hill Hawks Football Club's Victorian Football League Women's (VFLW) and Victorian Football League (VFL) teams faced off against the Casey Demons in a historic double-header at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve on Sunday, 30 April.
The event, a partnership between Bass Coast Shire Council and Hawthorn Football Club, saw more than 3000 people come together to witness the teams showcase their skills, as well as the quality of the playing surface and facilities at the reserve which Hawks' Senior Coach Zane Little described as amazing".
The game was a celebration of not only footy in Bass Coast, but our work in increasing gender equality across the Shire as well, with the VFLW team securing their win 7.8 (50) to 2.5 (17) against Casey Demons. Following the win, The Box Hill Hawks, who approached the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve undefeated, then suffered their first loss of the 2023 VFL season, going down to the demons 11.10 (76) to 16.10 (106).
Despite the loss, the players put on a fantastic display of skill and teamwork, and the crowd enjoyed a game of very high calibre right here in Bass Coast Shire. Senior Coach Zane Little expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome the Box Hill Football Club received from the Bass Coast Shire community during their visit: "The crowd were very respectful and we thank the Bass Coast Shire for having us!"
The event was opened by Cr Michael Whelan, Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor and Lisa Burge, VFL Women's (VFLW), with Jillian West of Bunurong Land Council, providing the Welcome to Country. The younger ones were also kept entertained throughout the day with activities, facepainting and the classic Auskick sessions including kick-to-kick occurring on the field during halftime.
Over sixty club volunteers from Wonthaggi Power also contributed to the event, providing services such as catering to hungry spectators who had travelled from near and far. The YMCA also supported the event by graciously providing the use of their change room facilities.
Thanks to the State Government's Female Friendly Facilities Funding Program, Council has already been able to upgrade women's changing rooms across the shire - including $500,000 to revamp Dalyston Netball and Football club, plus another $500,000 to upgrade the pavilion at Inverloch Kongwak Football Netball Club, at Inverloch Recreation Reserve. This great initiative enables women and girls to be more active, more often by providing safe spaces to prep and change.
The hosting of a VFLW game in the area provided an opportunity for five local female coaches to attend the pre-game preparation in both the Box Hill and Casey rooms to listen, watch, and learn with the pros, including legendary Box Hill Coach, Cherie O'Neill.
The match also showcased Bass Coast's huge potential for major sports events, driven by our advocacy campaign, Wonthaggi Opportunity Unlocked. Wonthaggi is one of Victoria's fastest growing communities, with an expected rise in population of 33% by 2036 to nearly 18,000 residents, so we're pushing to provide the top notch facilities our growing community deserve. This campaign is designed to meet the demands of growth by generating positive business investment, employment, inclusion and liveability benefit to all community, including government investment.
