NSW/ACT Youth Girls ready for Nationals
Click here to view the NSW/ACT Youth Girls team
The NSW/ACT state team will be looking for gold when they play in the second annual Under-18 Youth Girls National Championships on the Gold Coast from September 20 to 24.
Standing in their way will be Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and two Victorian teams who are all just as keen to lift the coveted trophy.
Victoria won the title last year but with the competition improving significantly over the last 12 months the title is anyone’s.
The championships, being held at Southport Football Club oval, will have strong interest from the community as well as the Gold Coast Suns who are avid supporters of Youth Girls.
NSW/ACT will be captained by inspirational skipper Stephanie Powers whose approach to life and football has been shaped greatly as she’s had to overcome cancer.
At two years of age, Powers was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer which saw her spend a large proportion of her early years in hospital.
The life changing experience has made her into a hard running midfielder who is a terrific leader both on and off the field.
“I think that growing up with a lot of sick children around me and knowing that I survived the trauma that it has given me a different perspective on living life and it makes me grateful for everything I do and impacts on every activity in my daily life,” Powers said.
The fearless leader will play a key role in NSW/ACT’s chances at the championships and use her sporting experience to help get the side over the line.
Powers is a talented sportsperson having made the finals of the NSW surfing titles and she has also danced for America Disneyland.
But for now her focus is purely on the Youth Girls National Championships and getting the best out of herself and her side.
“I would like to be the best footballer I can and would like to make the NSW Women’s state team in the future.”
You can follow the action at www.aflfemalechamps.com.au or go to AFL KicksforChicks on Facebook and Twitter.
Players to watch
Talarah Dawn Bell, Shellharbour Swans, NSW
From first playing Youth Girls in 2009, Bell has improved significantly over the years and has represented her state on a number of occasions. Last year she was selected in the inaugural Under-18s Youth Girls Championships and at the local level has won a number of awards including best and fairest and best defender. Last year, Bell was also named best on ground in the interstate challenge held in Canberra.
Rachel Friend, Ainslie, ACT
The lively forward has a long list of accomplishments in the past two years including playing in the inaugural Youth Girls Nationals last year in Melbourne. In the same year she was also named Ainslie’s Best and Fairest in the AFL Canberra Youth Girls competition and has represented her state in the school SSSA Nationals competition.