Ararat Storm coaches say their charges are ready to take on the competition in the upcoming Western Victoria Female Football League 2020 season.
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With the opportunity to be only one of a few competitive sports to go ahead in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the club is making the most of the opportunities of many people looking for something to do.
Training has continued through times of restrictions with social distancing measures put in place.
Both junior and senior coaches have said they would welcome any new players into the groups.
"We've had some really good numbers in both age groups coming off the back of last season where Ararat Storm couldn't field a team," 2020 senior coach Beck Phillips said.
"It's been fantastic to watch the players grow throughout their period where training has had to look very different from what was initially planned at the start of the year.
"We were ecstatic when we were officially told that the season would go ahead. It's made the time over the past few months when we've been training by any possible way we could within the regulations worth it."
Phillips said she was hoping to pick up some players who might have been wanting to give football a try, but maybe couldn't find the time or it clashed with other sports.
"We've really moved forward to the initial devastation of training canceled and the possibility of not playing this year," she said.
"There has been such a positive vibe around the club and everyone has been keeping in touch with messages and videos.
"Now we have the opportunity to train in small groups and really focus on the player's skills."
Phillips said while it wasn't ideal to have training via videos and messages, she was impressed with the commitment and dedication showed by the players.
"It's why I love doing what I do," she said.
"To see the players learn and grow not only on the football field but as people during this time has been an amazing opportunity and a learning curve for not only them but for me as well.
"We wanted to continue with the work that was done over the offseason to get the teams back up and running and give young girls the opportunity to play football in the region in years to come regardless if a season went ahead or not this year.
"We're here for the long haul and the commitment from everyone involved just proves there are some fantastic people within the community that want to support and see the sport grow."
Ararat Storm's training continues at Gordon Street every Wednesday and Friday nights with juniors starting at 5.30 and seniors at 6.30.
Phillips encouraged anyone who wanted to know more information or find out how they could be involved in the club to contact her on 0407135449.
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