As South Belgrave Football Junior Club celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, new female teams are giving the club renewed life.
Shae Cosgrave, president of South Belgrave Football Junior Club said the local female teams have experienced a surge in popularity since joining the competition in 2017.
With her daughter playing in the first female Under 12 team, Shae is one of the club's biggest supporters.
"We introduced an under 12 team in 2017 that my daughter was actually a part of and that was a very liberating and exciting moment in the club's history."
"You've only got to look around and see the people, that we'd have never seen at the footy club before that are here now, and it all gels well for our future," he said.
To ensure that the club remains inclusive a number of changes were undertaken, including introducing a new female coach, and changing the logos to a boy and a girl, to better represent their values.
Shae said she is excited by what the competition will mean to girls growing up with a love of football today.
"Gender equality in a sporting organisation is so important because it reflects the broader society."
"When our players and families see women participating in sport as well as leading and contributing in an official capacity, that just provides inspiration and It provides young girls with the knowledge and understanding that that's something that they can do, they can aspire to do."
As the club grows so too has the need for facilities and Yarra Ranges Council has been working closely with South Belgrave Junior Football Club to ensure it has all it needs to thrive, including new change room facilities.
"Upgrading facilities is so important because this is a place where people come and they need to feel safe, they need to feel valued, and they need to feel that they have equitable access," said Yarra Ranges Council Mayor, Jim Child.
"Sport, including football, is a big part of the Yarra Ranges culture and it is important we invest in projects such as this one to that ensure all those who want to can enjoy the facilities and opportunity to participate."
