Over the weekend of Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October 2024, our three female GRFC Representative Teams competed in the Western United Cup in Ballarat, showcasing the incredible depth of talent that Geelong has to offer.
The tournament was a fantastic opportunity for our girls to reunite on the pitch and represent our region with pride. The growth of girls’ football in Geelong has been remarkable, and our teams can be proud not only of their performances but also of the outstanding spirit and sportsmanship displayed throughout the event. It was heartwarming to see players and supporters rushing between games to cheer on their fellow Geelong clubs—true community spirit that didn’t go unnoticed!
GRFC Rep Team Performances:
- U12s: Topped their group with 3 wins, advanced with a thrilling penalty shootout win over Heidelberg in the quarter-final, but narrowly missed out in the semi-final, losing 1-0 to Ballarat. They finished an impressive 3rd overall.
- U14s: Dominated their group (even besting my North Geelong team!) with 2 wins and 1 draw. They faced a tough challenge in the semi-final against Melbourne City and finished 3rd.
- U16s: Played in an extremely competitive group, with 2 draws and 2 losses. A touch of luck could have seen them through to the finals, but the girls held their heads high, showing grit and determination throughout.
Tournament Stats & Highlights:
- This was the largest all-female football tournament in Australia.
- Geelong was well-represented, with 20% of the teams (19 of the 95 teams) coming from our region.
- The tournament saw a staggering 1,288 registered players, with 262 matches played and a total of 1,013 goals scored, averaging 3.9 goals per game!
Other Top Results for Geelong Clubs:
- Tournament Runners-Up:
- Surfcoast Yellow U8/9
- Surfcoast U10
- Geelong Galaxy U15
- Semi-Finalists:
- Surfcoast Blue U8/9
- GRFC Geelong Association U12
- Geelong Galaxy U13
- North Geelong Warriors U14
- GRFC Geelong Association U14
- Geelong Galaxy U16
- Plate Winners:
- Corio U11
- North Geelong U12
- Surfcoast U15
It was an unforgettable weekend filled with excitement, skill, and camaraderie. Well done to all our teams for their efforts and to the many supporters who made the trip to cheer them on. The future of girls’ football in Geelong is looking brighter than ever!
