2014 AFL Women’s Draft Nominations open

This marks the second year the event will be held following the inaugural draft and to select players for the first ever AFL sanction female football match.

The historic match took place on Saturday, June 29, at 1.45pm on the MCG as the marquee event of AFL Women’s Round 2013. For the first time women’s teams represented AFL clubs and wore club guernseys as they competed for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup.

The teams were formed following the first-ever AFL Women’s Draft. Players aged 17 years and over from All-Australian teams, AFL Academies and 2013 state teams nominated for the Draft, together with nominations received from interested parties globally and around Australia. Fifty players were selected from over 250 nominees; with NSW enjoy two selections in the inaugural event.

Stand-out NSW state player Courtney Gum, from UNSW-ES Stingrays, was selected at pick 25 for the Melbourne Demons. Gum starred for NSW in the midfield at the 2013 Women’s National Championships and was named in the All-Australian team chosen at the end of the tournament.

Jennifer Lew, a defender from Sydney University, was selected at pick 35 for the Melbourne Demons, who were four goal victors in the historic match.

With 285 nominations in 2013, it is expected that competition for places will be fierce. AFL NSW/ACT Female Programs Manager Libby Sadler said that in its second year, the Women’s Draft is more important than ever.

“Each year we’re seeing more and more women involved in the game, and this draft is another step in the right direction,” Sadler said.

“Creating a viable player pathway will help retain our most talented female footballers, and this is another important step in the ongoing development towards a women’s national league in the future.”

NSW/ACT Draft nominees will participate in an exhibition game on May 4.

The 2014 AFL Women’s Exhibition Game will be conducted at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, June 28, at 9.30am and will be contested before the Western Bulldogs FC playing Melbourne FC.

Now it’s your turn to get Drafted! With a minimum 24 places up for selection, you can make your mark. Go to http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=1828 and complete the Draft Nomination Form before March 31.