Next generation of female footballers

Some of the top female footballers from across NSW and the ACT travelled from Port Macquarie, Hay, Canberra, Illawarra, Riverina and locally, for the NSW/ACT Under-18s Development Camp.

The camp was held last weekend at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) where the 35 girls were put through their paces and undertook AFL Combine testing for skills and fitness.

They participated in a coaching sessions with AFL/AIS Academy Coach and Sydney Swans legend Michael O’Loughlin and Head Coach of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, Chris Smith, to learn some of the finer skills of the game.

At the end of the weekend a team of 27 was selected in the NSW/ACT Under-18s representative squad to participate in the AFL Youth Girls National Championships in Shepparton from May 6-11

“The talent on display over the weekend highlights the strength of our existing Youth Girls competitions and junior program,” said Libby Sadler – AFL NSW/ACT Female Football Program Manager.

“2013 is set to be the best year yet for NSW/ACT Under-18s Youth girls at the National Championships.”

NSW/ACT Under-18s representative squad

Isabelle Atkinson (Gungahlin)
Nicola Barr (Sydney Harbour)
Rebecca Beeson (Sydney Harbour)
Kirsty Church (Illawarra)
Madeleine Collier (Illawarra)
Claire Donohue (Riverina)
Maddy  Duncan (Sydney Harbour)
Bethanie Durham (Riverina)
Rachel Friend (Ainslie)
Sophie  Gaynor (Riverina)
Taigen Grenfel (Illawarra)
Jodie Hicks (Riverina)
Brooke Jones (Riverina)
Nicola Kennedy (Illawarra)
Sophie King (Illawarra)
Victoria King (Tuggeranong)
Karina Koeck (Ainslie)
Erina McKinnon (Sydney Harbour)
Eleri Morris (Illawarra)
Eloise O’Brien (Ainslie)
Sophie O’Dea (Belconnen)
Jessica  Stramandunoli (Ainslie)
Alexandra Tegg (Southern Power)
Tyiesha Tighe (Sydney Harbour)
Erika Vredenbergt (Gungahlin)
Sophie Welsh (Riverina)
Elenor Wright (Port Macquarie)

Reserves                             

Renee Schwarze (Illawarra)
Zoe Devlin (Sydney Harbour)
Kaitlyn  Dobing (Ainslie)