Geraldton football team captain Sam Bell urges other women to pull on the boots

The captain of Geraldton women’s football team Rovers has sent out a strong message: “we’re not afraid of anyone”. Sam Bell said with runaway development in the women’s competition, the players were developing their skills, while the action on the field was thick and fast — and probably at its most physical. “The girls are pretty ruthless out there, that’s for sure,” she said. “We’re not weak.” The men’s game had longer to develop and incorporate more of the skills — but as they developed, the women weren’t shying away from a confrontation, she said. “The skills are not top-notch (yet), you’re more likely to cop an elbow or a high tackle. “But I think it’s very physical and it’s a lot tougher.” Bell said she fell into the sport by accident after meeting club volunteer Vanessa Halliday through her work as a veterinary nurse and deciding to come along for a game. “I went down as a bit of a joke, to be honest. And I just loved it,” she said. As family and friends got on board, Bell decided to take up the sport and urged more women and girls to do the same. “It’s a feel-good thing,” she said. “Plus you make friends.” Bell said the results sometimes weren’t there to show the team’s dedication — Rovers finished scoreless against Brigades, last season’s grand final winners, who booted 13 goals for a final score of 82. But it was a matter of persistence and being there for the team, she said. “It’s just one of those things where you’ve got to stick with it and keep growing and stick with each other. “I’ve definitely played other sports where I’ve played three or four years and got smashed every year. If the girls stick with it you’ll eventually find you’ve got a winning team.” Anyone joining could also help remove the stigma around women playing physical sports, she said. Bell said she saw many women at the game as spectators and said they should consider giving it a shot themselves.