DEBBIE Bach’s appointment to president of the Stawell Warriors Football Netball Club is creating history in the Wimmera Football League.
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Bach is the first female president the league has seen head one of its clubs, with AFL Wimmera-Mallee general manager Steve McQueen confirming that is the case.
“To the best of our knowledge, she is the first Wimmera league president,” he said.
“There has been three other females lead clubs in the region.”
McQueen said it was fantastic to see Bach take on the challenge.
“The league encourages women to be involved with their football and netball clubs and embrace these leading roles,” he said.
Bach – who has been vice president at the club for the past two seasons – said she was keen to take on the role.
“I’m really excited about it,” she said.
“I think there will be some challenges, but I think it’s a really exciting time for the club.”
The Warriors senior football side enjoyed some fantastic on-field improvement in 2015, and Bach said it only added to the club’s atmosphere going forward.
“There’s nothing better than that anticipation after how we finished this year and what we’ve got to look forward to,” she said.
Despite a lower finish in the netball, Bach is confident there is plenty of talent in the ranks.
“We’ve had a quiet couple of years but there’s some good players and good juniors, so we’re looking forward to that too,” she said.
When asked about the significance of becoming the first female to lead a club in the Wimmera league, she said she did not think about it too much, but said she hoped to prove herself.
“I’m excited to prove that I can do it,” she said.
“To myself as well because it’s the first time and it’s always been a man’s world. I’m looking forward to what I might bring.”
Bach does not believe the fact she is female will bring her any problems.
“I don’t expect I’ll have any issues because I’m a female,” she said.
“We’ve got a really strong committee and football department so I’ll have a really good connection.
“I don’t feel separated from the footy side of things.”
While Bach does not have particular on-field goals heading into 2016, she will sit down with senior coach Brad Thomas in the interim.
“I see us as being a support for the coaches and working with them to achieve the goals they set,” she said.
“I want to create a more inclusive environment for people to feel like they want to come and watch us because we’re a welcoming, safe club.”
