THE Warrnambool Wolves are looking to expand their ever-growing pack.
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Wolves senior player Amanda Gaffey is eager to help drive the expansion of the club’s women’s side with a weekly Monday pre-season training session.
The 26-year-old, who moved from North Carolina three-and-a-half years ago to run Evolution Chiropractor in Warrnambool, said the sport was becoming an appealing choice for women.
“It is not as big here yet and I think it’s growing and there is a lot of room and interest for it,” she said.
“For a lot of the girls it is not a main sport, like footy or cricket, but I think it’s really important for women to have it in the south-west and it’s my interest to grow it since it was a big part of my up-bringing.”
I think it’s really important for women to have it in the south-west and it’s my interest to grow it since it was a big part of my up-bringing.
- Amanda Gaffey on growing soccer in the region
Gaffey, who has played soccer for over twenty years, said the training would be open and welcoming to anyone interested.
“Some of the girls have played once or twice, or it has been five years since they have played and the other group have played the last few seasons so the experience ranges,” she said.
“It’s an open group who are happy to teach people so people have to just come down and meet us. We are a pretty friendly group from that standpoint.
“We do a little bit of easy drills at the start and if there is enough girls at the end we do a little scrimmage and then plenty of us will hang after and answer questions.
“So they are welcome to come down and do what they feel comfortable, whether that’s the drills, the running or they are welcome to just watch.”
The long-time player said she wants to give back to soccer in her adopted community.
“I have played and been an assistant coach that many years that I have seen enough games and instances where the sport can help girls and the community,” she said.
“I’m excited to be able to show Warrnambool some of that experience.”
The pre-season program will run from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Wolves’ home at Harris Street Reserve on Monday nights throughout the summer months.
Gaffey said anyone interested was welcome to message her or come down for a look at training.