Baia selected for Vic Country

IN ONLY her second season of football, Wonthaggi’s Baia Pugh was recently selected for the Vic Country squad.

Baia said she was lucky enough to be selected for Vic Country’s trial process at Bundoora.

Fifty people were trialled, playing games against Vic Metro, which was also using the practice matches as part of its selection.

About a month ago, Baia received news that she had made the team and has so far played two games.

Vic Country defeated Allies Girls by 46 points in round one and lost to Queensland U18s by just 12 points in round two.

Baia started her footy career playing one season for Wonthaggi Power’s Youth Girls.

Since leaving school and heading off to uni, she has been training with Port Melbourne’s VFLW side and launched her second-ever footy season with Gippsland Power.

“Playing for Gippsland Power has been really good. All the girls are lovely and it’s a great atmosphere,” she said.

“After doing athletics for many years, I wanted to get involved in the team sport environment after finishing school. It’s been great because I’ve been able to incorporate my running training pretty heavily on a bigger playing surface. 

“My dad and my brother love footy and I’ve been able to use their knowledge to get into the game. They’ve encouraged me to use my abilities and relevant skills to my full potential.”

When Baia first picked footy back up, she started out on the wing and has now worked her way into the midfield rotation.

She said it was exciting to be selected for Vic Country.

“I try my best wherever I go in sport, but I initially got back into footy for a bit of fun,” Baia said.

Although the only local recruit, she was thrilled to be one of seven girls from Gippsland Power selected.

“It’s good to have those girls alongside me. We’ve been having a good season together with Gippsland Power – we’ve won seven games and lost three,” she said.

Having now had some success on the field, Baia said a longer career in footy may be on the cards for her.

“I’m top age in the U18s and there are always talks about going further, especially leading up to the draft. I’d like to see where it goes,” she said.

Baia’s next match for Vic Country will be played against Vic Metro at RSEA Park on July 20.