Female football season kicks off in style

The AFL is making no secret that it wants to get more female players involved in the game.

On Saturday March 5, the second annual AFL 7’s tournament was conducted at the RAS Showground, Sydney Olympic Park in conjunction with Sports Hydrant Women’s Sports Festival. 

There were 12 teams in the women’s competition consisting of clubs from the ACT (Tuggeranong and Eastlake) and NSW (Auburn – first outing, Balmain, Macquarie Uni, Sydney Uni, UNSW/Easts) and teams from recreational football and the AFL Office. 

It is hoped that this event will grow next year and extend even further. 
AFL’s 7’s is a reduced contact version of the game of AFL played on a modified ground  with 7 players filling forward, midfield and back positions for 7 minute halves. 

For many teams this was an opportunity to give new players a run in competition conditions without the pressure of full contact and reduced playing time. 

It was a great opportunity to see the emerging and returning talent for the 2011 Sydney Women’s AFL Competition.

The women’s competition was close with only 0.2% separating fourth from fifth on a for and against count back.

The final four consisted of Tuggeranong and Eastlake from the ACT and Sydney Uni and Balmain from NSW.  

In the end the final was a local derby between Balmain Dockers and Sydney Uni Bombers. 

It was a tight battle between both teams with Sydney Uni narrowly defeating Balmain 4.4.28 to 4.2.26.

The inaugural Youth Girls Division saw new club South Campbelltown join Northern Tigers (Woonona) and Shellharbour Swans.  Shellharbour had a close game over the Tigers in the preliminary round but were able to remain undefeated throughout the day winning the final 3.3.21 to 1.0.6 against the Tigers. Shellharbour are currently the inaugural premiers for the Illawarra Youth Girls competition and the 7’s event was a great example of the outstanding talent coming out of the youth girl’s competition.



Many thanks to Women’s Health Magazine who strongly supported the 7’s event  providing prize packs for winners of both divisions and having a strong presence at the tournament.

The Women’s Sports Day was held on Sunday the 6th March at Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park. 

All Australian SWAFL player Marie Keating was on hand to represent women’s AFL not only showcasing her skills on the ‘Big Kick’ with budding young AFL girls, but also for a World Record Zumba Class and the tug-of-war. 

Marie was joined in the tug-of-war with representatives from SWAFL and the Female Talented Player Program.  It was a great day with many young girls (and boys) picking up a footy for the first time and getting some lessons on kicking lessons.