Love it or hate it, each winter there is no escaping the television commentary, the tipping forums, the leather ball, the boots and the mud that make up football.
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Here in Cootamundra we have more football fans than not with all getting settled in for a new season of local football.
The Cootamundra Rugby League Club and the Strikers Soccer Club get things started this weekend with both facing tough opening matches; the Bulldogs against Junee in Junee and the Strikers hosting Henwood Park.
It is a time where sport comes into its own.
Touch football competitions have been popular in Cootamundra but for a number of teams they have been leading up to the start of the winter footy season.
For a small town, Cootamundra has tasted success across all codes of football and clubs will be looking to cement themselves in their various competitions early in the season.
In a terrific move forward, this year marks the first all clubs have a female side.
The Blues Australian Rules Football Club have teamed with the women’s team from Young, which moved out of the Central West League to play in the AFL Canberra competition this year.
The Cootamundra Tricolettes have proved themselves a crowd favourite on game day for the Rugby Club.
Their addition to the club has resulted in a wave of new supporters who attend home and away games to cheer the girls on.
The Soccer Club and the League Club were the first to introduce women’s sides.
The Soccer Club has had to scramble for players this year, due in part to the plethora of women’s football options available in town, however they have a team and are ready to hit the turf.
The women’s Strikers have a proud reputation and a strong following.
The leaguetag girls are back for the Rugby League Club after a year off with all affiliates of the sport excited by their return.
They represented well at the West Wyalong Knockout and add another dimension to a club.
Introducing women’s teams has afforded female fans of all football codes the opportunity to move away from the canteens and committees and get among the action.
Female players are often among the first to put their hand up for things such as fundraising and promotion, however enjoy their time on the field also.