Footy bursts through pink banner

Beaconsfield youth girls footballers, from front, Courtney Robinson, Kirralee Evans, Amy Barnes and Georgia Anderson are raising money for a great cause when they take to Casey Fields this Saturday in honour of those battling breast cancer. 98709 Picture: RUSSELL BENNETT

By RUSSELL BENNETT

THEY’RE fast, skilful, and boy can these girls pack some power.
The Beaconsfield Youth Girls football side shines as one of the brightest lights of the local sporting scene but this Saturday its members are playing for a cause more than their own.
The girls will do away with the usual blue and gold of the Eagles’ club socks in favour of a touch of pink in the name of charity for their first round clash this weekend.
The side, which earlier this year entered a team in the Relay for Life, has raised money to take part in Pink Sports Day on Saturday for Breast Cancer Network Australia.
The girls will pay tribute to local women and their families who have been touched by breast cancer.
They will burst through a specially-made banner on Saturday at Casey Fields having already reached their initial fundraising target of $250.
But the Eagles are aiming to raise as much money for the cause as possible, and will aim to better that mark next year.
Beaconsfield Junior Football Club president Robert White said the girls, in just their second year as a team unit, approached the club with the idea of taking part in Pink Sports Day.
“We were impressed, but not surprised,” he said.
“We know how proactive the girls are.”
Eagles youth girls vice-captain Georgia Anderson, 16, will take to the field on Saturday spurred on by a little extra inspiration.
After participating in the Relay for Life earlier this year, she came home to find out her grandmother had lost her battle with breast cancer.
“It was a great feeling to see all the support for her, and we’d like to thank our coaches, the club, South East Juniors, and our families for their support with this,” she said.
More than a dozen Beaconsfield youth girls are playing elite-level football in season 2013, headed by young superstar Ellie Blackburn.
Their style of football is scintillating – 15-players on a regular-sized footy field going hammer-and-tong at breakneck speed.
The club is attracting players from far and wide and has already built a strong reputation as a friendly, family-oriented outfit.
The Eagles have a clear ambition to establish a women’s senior football side for players to graduate into once they reach 18.
To donate to the youth girls Pink Sports Day cause ahead of their big, season-opening clash this Saturday from 9am at Casey Fields Oval 4, or to find out more about the exciting young side, visit www.beaconsfieldjfc.com.au and follow the links.