Ash eyes ‘next level’ in AFLW BELEURA Junior Football Club is celebrating its first AFLW signing. Under-18 Ash Richards was snapped up by St Kilda with pick 12 in the recent AFLW draft. The Saints had noted her versatility in the midfield and up forward, as well as her athleticism and ability to find the goals. Growing up as an avid Geelong supporter, Richards began at Beleura as a 13-year-old. Her football skills developed further each season, resulting in her being selected in inter-league, V/ Line Cup, Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country squads. This season she co-captained Dandenong Stingrays and, at the end of the girls’ NAB League season, was invited to play with Port Melbourne’s VFLW side. In the lead up to the draft she impressed recruiters in her four games with Port and three solid performances for Vic Country in the NAB AFLW National Championships. Juggling year 12 and footy commitments has been a challenge and Richards says she plans to take a gap year next year so she can focus purely on footy. “I’ve already noticed it’s another level up,” she said of settling into St Kilda. “VFL was next level to Stingrays and this is another level again. It’s hard, but it’ll be worth it. It’ll just help make me better.” Beleura was one of the first clubs on the Mornington Peninsula to field all-girls’ teams and the club continues to have a strong female footy program with players from under-10s through to under-18s, including several potential AFLW draftees. “We’re so proud that Ash started her footy at Beleura and has worked her way through to the big time, club president Aaron Brew said. “To us, she’ll always be a Beleura girl. We hope she can find the time to come down and run some drills with the younger girls. “To have an AFLW player picked from your club, that’s pretty inspiring for our young footballers.” Although the home and away season has only just finished, Beleura is already looking ahead to 2022. “We’ll be doing a bit in the off season as we know a lot of kids have missed out on a lot of footy through COVID,” Brew said. Anyone interested in playing at Beleura next season can get in touch via the club’s Facebook page or email president@ beleurasports.com Stephen Taylor
Energy advice A FREE webinar by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will cover the benefits of hot water heat pumps and reverse cycle air conditioners. The shire says replacing a conventional electric hot water system with a hot water heat pump could save a typical family up to 70 per cent in running costs. Savings of up to 55 per cent could be made by replacing a gas storage hot water system. The webinar – 12pm-1pm, Thursday 19 August – complements the shire’s solar and energy bulk buy program offering discounts on appliances and free and tailored advice on products suitable for a range of homes and budgets. The aim is to make houses more energy efficient, comfortable and cost-effective to run. The webinar will give an overview of the council’s bulk buy program being run in conjunction with the Australian Energy Foundation and product supplier RMS Heating and Cooling. Register: mps-bulk-buy-hwhp-rcac.eventbrite. com.au For more information call the Australian Energy Foundation: 1300 236 855, or visit mornpen. vic.gov.au/bulkbuy or aef.com.au/mps-bulk-buy/
Backyard chooks
In the team: Beleura’s Ash Richards was picked up by St Kilda at the recent AFLW draft. Pictures: Supplied
CHICKENS make great pets as well as being good composters and providing eggs. To learn how to raise chooks a fun workshop by Chooktopia will cover their health, nutrition, housing, protection from predators and pests, as well as the sustainability and circular economy benefits of keeping them. The session will also cover local laws and guidelines for planning a productive chook yard. The workshop will be held at the Eco Living Display Centre, The Briars, 10.30am-12pm, Saturday 2 October. The cost is $20 each. Visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/ecolivingworkshops to book a place. Other environment events are also listed. Details: Jacqui Salter at environmentaleducation@mornpen.vic.gov.au
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Southern Peninsula News
TRUGANINA 18 August 2021
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