Eastlake players of 2023 have come a long way in 25 years. Photo: Facebook.
In the 1990s, women’s AFL in Canberra was struggling to be taken seriously. The primary focus was on the men’s teams.
Women’s games were often played at 8 o’clock in the morning. The players had to book grounds on which to play and ring around to find umpires not required by the men’s competition.
The emergence of the Eastlake Club into the women’s competition in 1998 went a long way to help the code break through football’s glass ceiling.
Next year, Eastlake will celebrate 25 years of its women’s football program, a highly successful program that has yielded nine premierships.
Eastlake’s Megan Divett, Melissa Backhouse and Mandy Divett in the ACT team in 2000. Photo: Supplied.
Eastlake Football Club Director Jodie McEwan, one of the driving forces behind the celebrations, said one of the aims is to pay tribute to the pioneers who laid the foundation for the women’s program.
Jodie says, “It’s a celebration of a core group of players who were committed to getting things going in those early days and their continued involvement with the club.”
Mel Backhouse is one of those pioneers.
She was part of a group of basketball players who decided to have a go at a sport they had never played before. And in those early days, very few resources were devoted to female players.
Mel quickly became an influential force seeking to better the experience for the women’s team.
Eastlake representatives in the 2011 ACT team: Raph Jarvis, Lousie Castle, Kasie Nugent, Bek Hall, Sarah Rose, Emily Diprose, Mel Backhouse and Hannah McIntosh. Photo: Supplied.
In 2002, a former men’s senior player came on board to coach the team. That year, with Greg Lonsdale as coach, the Eastlake women won the premiership.
“We all wanted to be there because we were learning so much in those early years,” said Mel.
The women’s players were still doing plenty of their own organising, but it was a breakthrough. Mel believes it went a long way to forging a strong bond among the playing group.
“I do look back with fondness because it shows how far we have come. There was a certain amount of camaraderie because we were running the league as well as playing. It is much better now for young girls now with strong established pathways.”
Mel went on to play 167 games for Eastlake, winning six premierships. In many aspects, the total integration of the women’s program by the Eastlake Club has been a significant contributor to its success.
In recognition, on 2 March 2024, Eastlake Football Club will celebrate 25 years of women’s football.
“I think the women’s team is fully embraced within the club. Because of the longevity, there are stories of the past. There is a strong sense of history within the club, with the women’s players being very much a part of it.”
Current Eastlake Football Club champions Tanya Taylor and Kate Greenacre represented the ACT at the 2023 National AFL Masters. Tanya was equal leading goal kicker and Kate made the All-Australian Team for the 35s division. Photo: Facebook.
Jodie McEwan said it is important for the current group of players to be aware of those who went before them.
“We are looking to establish an alumnae of women’s players at the club to capture the history. We want the former players to feel a part of the club and continue to be involved.”
Eastlake Football Club can now boast a successful history of women’s football that began with a few pioneers who put in hours of work and on-field play to establish a platform for the players of today.
Tickets for 25 Years of Eastlake Women’s Football are available now. Visit EFC Group Functions or email EastlakeWomen25@gmail.com.
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