By Melissa McCullough
LAST week, players from the U18s girls team at Mornington Junior Football Club came together to celebrate something extraordinary.
A first for the club which has been steadily gaining players and teams over the past 10 years, the inaugural U18s girls team gathered surrounded by their families and friends to kick off the 2026 season.
The girls were gifted one-of-a-kind, pink-accented Bulldogs guernseys by the team’s sponsors which they will wear during their tenure and then be able keep as a memento.
The night was held at The Royal Hotel in Mornington where guernseys were presented one-at-a-time to each player by the team’s coach Simon Zonneveldt who is in his fourth year at the helm of the same core group of players.
“I was lucky enough to be asked to coach this team a few years back. What started as helping the team and coaching my amazing daughter soon changed into something more. I found an incredible bunch of girls with a passion to play footy,” said Zonneveldt.
The team is also fortunate be supported by a consistent crew of volunteers at every training session and game. The team’s assistant coach is Ginger Parker from the Mornington seniors’ team which creates a perfect segue for the girls should they wish to continue their football journey. Trainer Danielle Grant and runner Travis Reints have also played integral parts in the team for the past five years.
A special guest for the evening was club president, Sam Bramston, who gave a short speech to crowd commending the girls for their efforts in becoming the pioneers for this age group, and for their role in guiding younger players at MJFC.
“The importance of the night cannot be understated,” said Bramston.
“The jumpers you wear come with a bit of responsibility as there are currently two groups of young ladies sitting below you in the U16s and U14s, and hopefully a U10s team, too. You may not see them, but they look, they watch, and they learn from the way you do things.”
After the jumper presentations, the team captain, Chloe Shaw, and vice captains, Izzy Hayter, Jess Gyorosi and Willow Reints were announced as voted on by their teammates.
Zonneveldt went on to say, “The players have made this something more than a team, they’ve made this a community with the player’s friends and family as much a part of what we are as the players themselves. To get into U18s is a testament to each players dedication to the game and to each other as teammates. They have grown their own bond during my time coaching which is fantastic to watch.”
“This team really care for each other, have lots of fun in trainings and games and really love playing the best sport in the world. I can’t wait to see them play this year!”
With the recent addition of a second oval at Narambi Reserve in Mornington, the club welcomes and encourages new players to join. The season officially kicks off 26 April.
Go get ‘em girls!
First published in the Mornington News – 31 March 2026
