In 2024 our club is fielding 4 teams competing in the SMJFL girls only competitions - U13, U15, U16 and U18. Younger players in the girls program can chose between our combined U9 or U10 mixed teams (boys and girls together).

A player will need to have turned at least 7 years old by the 30th of April 2024 to be eligible to register with our club. A player's age group for the 2024 season is determined as follows: Under 8 - Born on or after 1 January 2016 Under 9 - Born on or after 1 January 2015 Under 10 - Born on or after 1 January 2014 Under 11 - Born on or after 1 January 2013 Under 12 - Born on or after 1 January 2012 Under 13 - Born on or after 1 January 2011 Under 14 - Born on or after 1 January 2010 Under 15 - Born on or after 1 January 2009 Under 16 - Born on or after 1 January 2008 Under 18 - Born on or after 1 January 2006

There is no requirement to have participated in Auskick before joining one of our club's teams. If you are participating in Auskick and join the Waverley Park Hawks to play football in the same year, you will be eligible for an Auskick fee rebate (for the first year only).

The fees for the 2024 season will be published shortly and registrations will open in December 2023.

Teams will play around half of their games at one of our home grounds and the other half at opponent’s grounds.

Generally speaking, the younger the age group the earlier the games but this really depends on what other clubs request at the start of the season.

This varies depending on age groups: U10 = 4 x 10 minute quarters U12 = 4 x 15 minute quarters U13 = 4 x 15 minute quarters U14 = 4 x 15 minute quarters U16 = 4 x 15 minute quarters U18 = 4 x 17 minute quarters

The majority of games are played on Sundays throughout the season. Occasionally an opposition club may request a night game on a weeknight, but this needs to be agreed to by both clubs. All game changes will be communicated to all players and families by the respective Team Managers.

Under 13s, U15s, U16s and U18s will all record scores and play in finals at the end of the season. Girls who play in our mixed teams in U9s & U10s games will not have scoring or finals, as the focus is on learning the game and getting as many touches of the football as possible. Rather than playing a final series younger mixed teams will play in a round robin event at the end of the season known as a Lightning Carnival.

Training nights and times for the girls teams for 2024 are as follows: Under 13 Girls Wednesdays from 5-6pm Columbia Park Reserve, Columbia Drive, Wheelers Hill Under 15 Girls Thursdays from 5-6:30pm Columbia Park Reserve, Columbia Drive, Wheelers Hill Under 16 Girls Thursdays from 5-6:30pm Columbia Park Reserve, Columbia Drive, Wheelers Hill Under 18 Girls Tuesdays from 6-7:30pm Columbia Park Reserve, Columbia Drive, Wheelers Hill

There is no doubt that football can be a physical game, which is why different age groups play with different modified rules to suit the different stages of development. As with any physical activity, there are no guarantees that injuries won’t occur. Each team has a trainer at each game who is First Aid trained and the Club hires qualified medics to attend all home games.

Girls can play in mixed teams with the boys up to and including U14s. After this time, girls must play in girls only competitions.

Girls’/women’s football is the fastest growing area of AFL football in the country. There are many senior football teams throughout Victoria that a player may choose to play with once they’ve finished in the Youth Girls competition. In addition to the above, there are various elite pathways and training programs available from U15s via NAB League teams (e.g., Oakleigh Chargers) right through to open age including the AFL and VFL Women’s competitions.