Female Diversity Champs open in Byron Bay
The annual AFL National Female Diversity Championships have been officially opened tonight in Byron Bay.
Providing a pathway into the Rio Tinto AFL Woomeras and Medleys programs, the Female Diversity Championships will see over 200 participants from Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds, come together to compete at the week-long tournament.
Currently in its second year, the 2017 AFL National Female Diversity Championships will encompass the Rio Tinto AFL National Under-15 Kickstart program, which has been running for five years, and the Australia Post AFL National Under-15 All Nations Cup.
SEE THE FULL NSW/ACT KICKSTART AND ALL NATIONS SQUAD LISTS HERE
AFL General Manager of Game Development, Andrew Dillon said the Diversity Championships will again incorporate participants from both Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds across fourteen teams, representing all states and territories.
“With the great response to the national NAB AFL Women’s competition, these championships will showcase the talent of aspiring young female footballers with Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds from across the country,” Dillon said.
“Not only does the Championships provide players with the chance to showcase their talent and engage in a number of educations sessions, it also provides development opportunities for those in the Diversity Umpiring Academy.
“Having Brisbane Lions’ Sabrina Frederick-Traub and Ally Anderson, Fremantle’s Akec Chuot, Adelaide Crows’ Tayla Thorn, GWS Giants’ Codie Briggs, Carlton’s Natalie Plane and Melbourne’s Emma Humphries involved, will allow the young participants the opportunity to engage with elite NAB AFL Women’s players who are role models to so many.”
Managing Director of Rio Tinto Australia, Joanne Farrell also made comment on Diversity Championships.
“We are enormously proud of our partnership with the AFL supporting their Indigenous programs, which are now reaching more young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than ever before,” Farrell said.
“With the creation and success of the NAB AFL Women’s competition we look forward to seeing many more young Indigenous women fulfil their AFL dream, while also developing important skills for success off the field.”
Each respective Grand Final will be held on Friday, 13 October 2017 at Cavanbah Sports Centre in Byron Bay, with the official closing ceremony to follow.
Twenty-five of the best performing participants from the Rio Tinto AFL National Kickstart Championships will be selected to represent the Rio Tinto AFL Woomeras team, and twenty-five of the best performers from the Australia Post AFL National All Nations Cup will be selected to represent the Medleys.
The selection panel will feature Katriina Heikkanen (AFL), Chris Johnson (AFL Victoria) and Richie Lyons (AFL Queensland).
2017 AFL National Female Diversity Championships Fixture – NSW/ACT
Tuesday, 10 October 2017
Kickstart matches at Oval 1, Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
9.00am – WA vs. NSW/ACT
11.00am – NSW/ACT vs. VIC
Tuesday, 10 October 2017
All Nation matches at Oval 2, Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
11.00am – VIC vs. NSW/ACT
3.00pm – WA vs. NSW/ACT
Wednesday, 11 October 2017
Kickstart matches at Oval 1, Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
11.00am – QLD vs. NSW/ACT
3.00pm – NSW/ACT vs. TAS
Wednesday, 11 October 2017
All Nation matches at Oval 2, Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
8.00am – NSW/ACT vs. TAS
10.00am – QLD vs. NSW/ACT
Thursday, 12 October 2017
Kickstart matches at Oval 1, Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
10.00am – NT vs. NSW/ACT
4.00pm – NSW/ACT vs. SA
Thursday, 12 October 2017
All Nation matches at Oval 2, Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
9.00am – NSW/ACT vs. SA
2.00pm – NT vs. NSW/ACT
Friday, 13 October 2017
Matches at Oval 1, Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
8.00am – All Nations Grand Final
9.00am – Kickstart Grand Final
10.00am – Championship Presentation
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