St Pat’s SuperCats make Cooma history

Sixteen students from St Patrick’s Parish School wrote a new chapter into the local history books when they travelled to Canberra recently to represent their school and community in AFL Canberra’s interschool carnival.

The students from years 7 and 8 formed the school’s – and Cooma’s – first ever female AFL side which took part in the GWS Giants’ Cup competition played at Phillip on Tuesday, April 3.

Supported by the Cooma Cats AFL club and christened the St Pat’s SuperCats for the day, the girls played a series of games against Canberra schools in the Under 14 Girls Division of the competition. For girls new to the game, they quickly adapted to the fast pace and tough tackling of AFL football.

Coach Rob Barnes was full of praise for the girls who came together to try a sport not previously available to them.

“Each member of the team demonstrated a terrific attitude towards learning and playing a new game, and the school and community should be extremely proud of their efforts,” Mr Barnes said.

“Their positive attitude and teamwork were key features of the girls’ approach to the game, particularly when coming up against sides with higher level skills.”

The team was also greatly assisted by the Cooma Cats and AFL Canberra iin order to take part in the Giants Cup.

The Cooma Cats provided the girls with team jumpers for the day and a number fo training sessions before the carnival, while AFL Canberra development officer in Cooma Stu Wood provided great technical support as assistant coach for the team.

The Cooma Cats are hoping to enter a Youth Girls team (ages 13-18) in the Canberra AFL Youth Girls competition in 2013.

Anyone interested in information about AFL football for girls can contact the Cooma Cats female footy coordinator Rob Barnes on 0425827130.

Article courtesy Cooma-Monaro Express