Girls inspired at AJAX open day

Author: SHANE DESIATNIK, AJN

MORE than 50 excited young participants attended a star-studded girls’ footy open day hosted by AJAX Junior Footy Club last Sunday afternoon at Caulfield Park.

Some St Kilda AFLW stars joined AJAX women’s team members and the junior club’s coaches in running a range of fun-filled basic footy skills drills. There was even a ball kicking demo session by Jackettes and Sandringham Dragons women’s player – and potential future AFLW draftee – Mia Zielinski.

The open day culminated with a Q&A with race walker Jemima Montag – a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist who achieved sixth place in her Olympic Games debut in Tokyo.

Montag – a Maccabi Victoria Athletics Club life member – gave an inspiring talk to the girls, recalling how when she was their age, she was able to benefit greatly from participating in sport at every opportunity, whether it was football, basketball, swimming, ballet or Little Athletics. “I was always trying a range of things, so I just want to encourage you to not only sign up for AJAX footy if you haven’t already done so, but also just to try a range of sports, and be as physically active as you can,” Montag said. “And then, if you do have this Olympic dream that I had, I also want to support you to get to that stage.”

Montag will be rolling out her Play On program at future AJAX girls’ training sessions – a program she designed to empower girls to stick with sport throughout their teenage years. There is still time to register to play in the 2023 footy season for AJAX Junior Footy Club’s girls teams.