The Roosters, who were the first Hampden league club to introduce a youth girls side, will run their first women’s team training run on Wednesday at Friendly Societies’ Park.

AFL Victoria Western District development manager Alan Thompson said it was a positive step for female football in the south-west.

Plans for playing structures are still being developed but Thompson hopes South Warrnambool’s decision will be the launching pad for a structured women’s competition in the long-term.

The successful AFL Western District Wimmera-Mallee youth girls league, which will swell from eight teams to 12 this year, could be a blueprint for a women’s competition.

“We’ve got girls now who are really enjoying playing footy,” Thompson said.

“It’s gone past being a novelty, they’re now really dedicated players.

“I think it will continue to grow and areas it may grow is we might have more junior teams and a younger age group.”

“I guess the drawback is facilities. With all the football on our grounds now, it’s (about) providing suitable venues. But that’s a great challenge to have.”

South Warrnambool youth girls coach Alicia Drew said the Roosters’ forward thinking was beneficial.

“We had girls playing for us last year that were too old to play this year,” she said.

“We figured there was a demand there. We wanted to be the first – we were the first with juniors and wanted to be the first with seniors.”

Training is at 5pm February 7.