As a child in rural Victoria, Ella Angarane spent countless hours at the Dalyston Football Netball Club, where her dad was president and coached boys footy. Ella loved the game and participated fully in the training. But come match day, she had to sit on the bench and watch, even though her dad said she was “better than the boys”.

Years later, as interest in women’s football started to grow, the club asked Ella if she’d like to coach their first ever youth girls team. This rekindled her desire to play but she had to travel to Melbourne for training and matches. With small children this was unsustainable, so in 2017 she and her sister Tess started a women’s team. The Bass Coast Breakers Women’s Football Team went on to win the South-Eastern Women’s Division 2 premiership in 2018, and 2 of the team went on to play AFLW.

With Ella still centrally involved, the club continues to provide an opportunity for women across the Bass Coast and South Gippsland region to be involved in the sport.

“It’s making a better community. It’s about having opportunities that I wanted when I was younger,” says Ella.

It’s also challenging old gender stereotypes around sport and providing positive role models for the next generation.

“It’s a great place for my sons – they’re seeing positive women role models within the team. They’re seeing their mum coaching and their dad being the helper. So that gender role of a lot of clubs has changed. It’s setting that example for them and for all the girls in the community so they know they can play footy and coach too.”

Boosting the confidence of girls and women is also about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in a range of ways.

“For example, we make sure our uniforms are women’s cut and a variety of sizes, so everyone feels welcome and knows their uniform will fit. We also do a bit of Pride theming because we know that’s valuable to a lot of the girls – and everyone’s happy to run with that outward facing inclusion. We keep the fees low with sponsorship, and we have a social media presence, which is important to some of the younger girls.”

Photos show everyone, including mothers and children, not just stereotypical athletes. There is also an effort to include an element of fun in all training and events, and plenty of social opportunities.

While Ella says the team vibe is up to the players not just the coach, she is working on instilling a positive team mindset on the back of the AFL She Can Coach Program.

In 2023 Ella was proud and humbled to receive an Order of Australia Medal for her outstanding work in service to Women’s Australian Rules football. But it’s the positive feedback from her community that keeps her motivated and involved.

“One dad recently said to me that his daughter had never felt so included – that he thinks she’s found her tribe.”

As a child in rural Victoria, Ella Angarane spent countless hours at the Dalyston Football Netball Club, where her dad was president and coached boys footy. Ella loved the game and participated fully in the training. But come match day, she had to sit on the bench and watch, even though her dad said she was “better than the boys”.

Years later, as interest in women’s football started to grow, the club asked Ella if she’d like to coach their first ever youth girls team. This rekindled her desire to play but she had to travel to Melbourne for training and matches. With small children this was unsustainable, so in 2017 she and her sister Tess started a women’s team. The Bass Coast Breakers Women’s Football Team went on to win the South-Eastern Women’s Division 2 premiership in 2018, and 2 of the team went on to play AFLW.

With Ella still centrally involved, the club continues to provide an opportunity for women across the Bass Coast and South Gippsland region to be involved in the sport.

“It’s making a better community. It’s about having opportunities that I wanted when I was younger,” says Ella.

It’s also challenging old gender stereotypes around sport and providing positive role models for the next generation.

“It’s a great place for my sons – they’re seeing positive women role models within the team. They’re seeing their mum coaching and their dad being the helper. So that gender role of a lot of clubs has changed. It’s setting that example for them and for all the girls in the community so they know they can play footy and coach too.”

Boosting the confidence of girls and women is also about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in a range of ways.

“For example, we make sure our uniforms are women’s cut and a variety of sizes, so everyone feels welcome and knows their uniform will fit. We also do a bit of Pride theming because we know that’s valuable to a lot of the girls – and everyone’s happy to run with that outward facing inclusion. We keep the fees low with sponsorship, and we have a social media presence, which is important to some of the younger girls.”

Photos show everyone, including mothers and children, not just stereotypical athletes. There is also an effort to include an element of fun in all training and events, and plenty of social opportunities.

While Ella says the team vibe is up to the players not just the coach, she is working on instilling a positive team mindset on the back of the AFL She Can Coach Program.

In 2023 Ella was proud and humbled to receive an Order of Australia Medal for her outstanding work in service to Women’s Australian Rules football. But it’s the positive feedback from her community that keeps her motivated and involved.

“One dad recently said to me that his daughter had never felt so included – that he thinks she’s found her tribe.”