Women playing football is really nothing new, a senior women’s competition has been part of the Broken Hill scene since 2012.
In fact, Broken Hill is one of the first communities in NSW to host matches involving women.
During WWII, a group of ladies got together to play a match to assist with fundraising for the War effort.
The game was played in October 1941 when a match between teams called the Spitfires and Bombers was played on Jubilee Oval.
The teams used what was considered up to date uniforms, with each borrowing a set of jumpers from the North and South Broken Hill Clubs. The Spitfires wore the red & white of the South club and the Bombers, blue and white of North with the match played on a Sunday.
A good crowd turned up to watch. Although most were women, the men were restricted to the stand. The gate for the day was recorded at £32.14.0 ($2,500.00 today), which is nothing to be sneezed at.
Well, this game will be re-enacted next Saturday, the 2nd of April. The two teams, the Spitfires and the Bombers, will once again take the field at Jubilee Oval.
The game was the brainchild of local businessman Steve Radford.
It will also be part of the Country Women’s Association Centenary celebration in NSW.
“It all fitted in nicely,” said AFL Broken Hill Chairman Andrew Schmidt.
“The CWA were keen to have a Women’s game as part of their 100-year celebrations and Steve Radford has been passionate about women’s football for a few years and he was the instigator and came up with the concept.”
“He has fully backed the game supplying two sets of playing kits and a giant cup to the winning team while the CWA have medallions for the players.”
The local clubs have embraced the re-enactment with players from the four clubs nominated to play.
“It has worked out well,” said Mr Schmidt.
“It will be free entry but patrons will be encouraged to make a gold coin donation at the gate to the CWA.”
The exhibition match will be part of a family afternoon with the AUSKICK program running a mini registration day between 4 and 5pm. The board will also have the canteen operating and the bar once the Women’s game starts at 6pm.
“We are also looking at a sprint race for the men and women and even a tug of war competition so it will be an afternoon to bring the family out,” Mr Schmidt said.
The gates at the Jubilee Oval will open at 3pm.
