WORLD Cup fever has hit Warrnambool.
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Warrnambool Wolves started a four-team women’s competition on Monday night in a bid to provide south-west players with an opportunity to compete locally.
Player Angie Paspaliaris said the Wolves revived a former seven-a-side program after interest in the sport rose, possibly on the back of the World Cup in Brazil.
She said the teams — Opals, Sapphires, Rubies and Diamonds — would welcome new players throughout the season.
“We have been training every Monday night improving skills and technique with a group of girls and there was interest shown in starting a seven-a-side league on Monday nights, like the guys do on a Wednesday,” Paspaliaris said.
“It is a good chance for girls to start learning how to play a game and for the girls who are quite experienced, it’s a good chance for them to play as well.”
Paspaliaris said a 12-week season had been tentatively booked in.
It started on Monday night, with Sapphires notching a 2-1 win against Rubies and Opals accounting for Diamonds 8-5 in a high-scoring shoot out.
“The teams are evenly constructed and that means the games are pretty close so it’s good for the competition,” Paspaliaris said.
“We are still happy to take further players. People are coming along to have a kick.
“It doesn’t matter about skill and ability.”
Paspaliaris said a handful of women played in the Wolves’ weekend men’s competition.
She travels to Mount Gambier every Saturday to play in its women’s grade and will use the Wolves’ Monday night competition as extra preparation.
“But if a competition in Warrnambool strengthened and was fully fledged, I’d probably play here because of travel,” Paspaliaris said.
The women’s games will start at 6.30pm. Newcomers are encouraged to meet at Harris Street Reserve at 6pm to register.