The Drouin Football Club has remained committed to continuing its burgeoning girls and women's programs, even under some duress this season.
The club was unable to get a senior women's team on the park after training numbers fell dramatically post-Christmas.
A number of factors played into the unfortunate result, not the least of which having to play away from the Drouin Recreation Reserve for the year.
Despite that, the club's youth girls program remains solid, with numbers strong as they continue their campaign in Female Football Gippsland's under 18 division two competition.
That's despite having to train and play a little out of the way at the Hallora Recreation Reserve instead of their traditional home.
While they're still developing and learning how to play their best footy, there have been plenty of encouraging signs along the way.
Coach Jason Clarke was recently recognised for his efforts, earning some recognition from AFL Gippsland as he was named the AFL Gippsland Coach of the Week earlier this month.
Player retention will be a big priority for the club as they aim to once again be able to offer prospective players a full pathway all the way from girls junior footy with the Drouin Junior Football Club all the way to senior women's footy.
Football president Luke Gilbert has said the Hawks are staying the course with their women's program, saying they were hoping to get their senior side back up and running in the years to come.
He said as long as there was a demand for it, Drouin would continue to offer the option.