State wide women’s talent search kicks off this weekend
One hundred and twenty of the best footballers from NSW and the ACT will compete in the first round of the Women’s Summer Series this Saturday, 12 February at Tom Wills Oval, Sydney Olympic Park.
Four sides (two representing the GIANTS, two representing the Sydney Swans) will complete with players looking to stand out from the pack as elite recruiters watch on.
AFLW clubs are always eager to select the best and brightest players, but this year is unique as the Sydney Swans will look to build its list from the ground up, preparing to enter the AFLW next season.
AFL NSW/ACT’s Talent Manager, Darren Denneman, said the Series will assist elite clubs build their AFLW lists: “The Women’s Summer Series has been embraced by the two AFLW clubs in our market and presents an opportunity for NSW and ACT players to build their profiles ahead of four new AFLW clubs entering next season’s AFLW competition.
“All players and staff have demonstrated great enthusiasm in training and combine testing and we now look forward to the match series.”
Players have been invited to participate in the Women’s Summer Series based on their outstanding performances at club, representative and Academies level. They come from all over NSW and the ACT, with Newcastle City the most represented club, fielding eight players for Swans Red.
Players from AFL Sapphire Coast, AFL South Coast, AFL Riverina, AFL Canberra, AFL Central West, AFL Broken Hill, AFL Sydney, AFL Hunter Central Coast, AFL North Coast and AFL North West are represented in the tournament – it is a state wide talent search.
Team lists including the players’ community clubs are available here.
The matches will be live streamed at AFL NSW/ACT’s Facebook page across three rounds culminating in finals.
GIANTS AFLW players will get involved in the Women’s Summer Series too, joining the GIANTS teams to give themselves a quality match experience when not selected in the senior AFLW side.
Sydney Swans Executive General Manager AFLW Kate Mahony said the Women’s Summer Series is a terrific opportunity to discover athletes who could be future Swans.
“Following the appointment of Scott Gowans as our senior coach we’re ready to commence building our list, so we’re really excited to watch the Summer Series and see these athletes put their best foot forward,” Mahony said.
“We want a competitive team, and one that includes plenty of local talent, so this series is an incredibly important addition to the AFLW program and one that will enable us to identify potential Sydney Swans recruits.”
Briana Harvey, GIANTS Head of Women’s Football, said: “The introduction of the Women’s Summer Series allows us, for the first time, to have an underpinning competition for those not selected to play at AFLW level.
“It’s a great opportunity for our train-on players, Academy athletes and other players across NSW and the ACT to be part of a development program as they work towards playing at the elite level.”
Fans are encouraged to bring a chair or picnic rug and enjoy the action of the nation’s next big things.
Results and other information will be posted to www.aflnswact.com.au/wsummerseries.
Matchdays
Saturday 12 Feb – Tom Wills Oval, Sydney Olympic Park
Swans White (Sydney) vs. GIANTS Orange (Sydney) at 12pm
GIANTS Charcoal (ACT/SNSW) vs. Swans Red (HCC/NNSW) at 2pm
Sunday 20 Feb – Blacktown International Sports Park
GIANTS Charcoal (ACT/SNSW) vs. GIANTS Orange (Sydney) at 12pm
Swans White (Sydney) vs. Swans Red (HCC/NNSW) 2pm
Saturday 5 March or Sunday 6 March (TBA) – Blacktown International Sportspark
GIANTS Charcoal (ACT/SNSW) vs Swans White (Sydney) at 12pm
Swans Red (HCC/NNSW) vs GIANTS Orange (Sydney) at 2pm
Finals
Sunday 13 March – Picken Oval, Croydon Park
3rd vs 4th at 12pm
1st vs 2nd at 2pm
