Women's football will have a spectacular phoenix rebirth over the Mother's Day weekend, when seven newly assembled teams hold their first ever 9-a-side football competition.
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It's a major comeback for the Griffith women's football scene, which was on the verge of being cancelled for the 2019 season.
With the help of their new sponsor Leading Edge Computers and an influx of new players, women's football is back with a vengeance.
They've gotten some keen interest from the community and have managed to pull together seven teams from around the region.
One of them is Griffith City, who have assembled a team made up entirely of mum-daughter duos.
Cella Bonetti will be teaming up with her mum Melinda Bonetti, and with their powers combined they'll be a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Cella handles the defence while her mum usually handles the front line offence.
"Mum's been playing for years and years, and she's really talented," Cella said.
Her friend Bethany Piva will playing as a striker, and she'll be forming a dynamic duo with her mum Eloise Piva.
Bethany said the two of them have been looking forward to the upcoming competition, which will take place on Friday night and Sunday morning on Mother's Day.
"We'll do our best and have fun," Bethany said.
The other teams are also raring and ready to go, and they include the Coro Crusaders, Coro Crushers, Hanwood United, Yoogali Wanderers, Griffith City, Hanwood Hurricanes, and the Yenda Tigers.
Lauren Zalunardo will be stepping up to the plate to represent the Yoogali Wanderers.
She's known for being quick on her feet and maintaining a fast running speed, which should give her an edge on the day.
"I'm really keen for it," Lauren said.
"It should be a good day."
The Leading Edge 9's competition and will continue on as a 9-a-side format with games to be held on Friday nights and Sunday mornings.
One of the competition's organisers Luke Santolin is hoping the new format will keep the Griffith women's football scene going strong well into the future.
"This is the start of something new," Santolin said.
"They've got all new strips, all new names, and all new players."
He's hoping the new format will be a blend of social and competitive events and will appeal to more women players around the area.
He said he wants to get more women into "the best game in the world".
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
