Maroubra to join AFL Sydney Women in 2013

The club will field the twelfth team in the AFL Sydney Women’s Competition, reflecting the burgeoning nature of the sport in this region since the formation of the competition in 2000.

The Maroubra Saints club has an existing Youth Girls team, and will have the honour of being the first women’s club to offer an established development pathway from Auskick to senior football for their female players.

AFL NSW/ACT Female Football Manager Libby Sadler says it is an important step for female football in Sydney.

“We’re really excited that female AFL 　has seen major growth across the country and within NSW/ACT,” she said

“The inclusion of this club in the AFL Sydney Women’s Competition highlights the growing interest in female football within the Sydney community and we hope that this trend continues.”

The inaugural player/coach of the side will be Kaya Thompson, who is returning to the sport after the birth of her twin girls five months ago.

Thompson, whose husband plays for the men’s side, says the Saints are a diverse and inclusive club who have grown enormously over the years.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic club and we have so many women participating, from mums of the junior kids to expats from Melbourne, who are all keen to see the club succeed,” Thompson said.

The team has commenced training alongside their AFL Sydney men’s teams, and already have 20 players committed to the 2013 season.

The AFL Sydney Women’s Competition will be split into two divisions for the first time in 2013, for more information about the competition structure please see

www.sydneyafl.com.au.