Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Gather Round Female Festival of Footy Champions Community Health and Female Football
Latrobe Health Services partnered with AFL Gippsland to successfully host the Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Gather Round Female Festival of Footy on Sunday, 25th May at Yinnar Recreation Reserve. The event was a vibrant celebration of girls and women's sport, while also promoting health awareness and accessibility within the Gippsland community.
With ten back-to-back matches across two ovals, the festival provided non-stop footy action and showcased the talent of youth girls and women, drawing strong crowds both in person and via livestream. Players and fans alike were inspired by AFLW stars including Gippsland's own number one Collingwood draftee Ash Centra, Gippslanders Amber Schutte from Collingwood and Tyla Hanks from Melbourne FC, and newly drafted Collingwood player Georgia Knight.
Tim Cotter, Regional Manager at AFL Gippsland, says, "The Female Festival of Footy united our youth girls' and women's teams to inspire the next generation and promote healthier lifestyles for all Gippslanders. Featuring kicking and handballing competitions, an all-girls football skills clinic, and half-time Auskick games, it was truly an action-packed day in Yinnar."
Beyond the on-field action, the festival also provided an opportunity for attendees to take advantage of free Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks, delivered by Latrobe Health Services as part of their ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes. These screenings helped participants assess critical heart health indicators, such as blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, diabetes risk, and non-fasting cholesterol levels. More than 70 checks were completed across the day, with almost one quarter of participants recording high blood pressure readings and almost half had not had their blood pressure checked in the last 12 months.
"Regional communities often face additional challenges in accessing preventative health care, so being able to provide these free heart health checks was an important part of the day," says Ian Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer at Latrobe Health Services.
"At Latrobe Health Services, we strive to support the long-term health and wellbeing of Gippslanders. We want people to not only enjoy the game but also walk away with valuable health insights that can make a real difference in their lives."
Coronary heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Australia, with regional and rural areas disproportionately affected. Events like the Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Gather Round Female Festival of Footy serve as a platform to promote preventative healthcare, encourage active lifestyles, and foster strong community connections.
With a fantastic turnout, inspiring performances, and meaningful health initiatives, the Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Gather Round Female Festival of Footy reinforced the importance of sport in strengthening local communities. AFL Gippsland looks forward to building on this success and continuing its commitment to female football and community wellbeing.
To learn more about Latrobe Health's Community Program, click here.