Eight selected for Woomeras and Medleys squads

Eight players from the AFL NSW/ACT region have been selected for the Woomeras and Medleys representative squads after impressing at the AFL Female Diversity Championships in Byron Bay this week.

The AFL NSW/ACT All Nations squad had a successful week in Byron, and have been rewarded for their strong efforts.

Sarah Heptinstall (Sydney), who was also named the NSW/ACT All Nation’s Most Valuable Player at the Championships, was one of three players selected for the Medleys squad. She will be joined by Shannon Wright (Greater Western Sydney) and Emily Pease (ACT), while Ellie Shefts (Sydney) has been named as an emergency. Shefts was also named in last year’s Medleys squad.

Despite a tough tournament, the NSW/ACT Kickstart squad have been recognised with four selections in the Woomeras.

Maleah Waters-Holten (Kempsey) has again found herself in the squad after representing the Woomeras last year. Her teammate from the Macleay Valley Eagles, Mattarley Kelly-Scholes (Kempsey) has also been named in the team, as well as Kanayla Clayton (Sydney). Afeni Tabuai-Salee (Sydney) has been named as an emergency.

The Woomeras Leadership program is now in its sixth year, whilst last year was the first for the Medleys Leadership program. The programs take 50 of the best female Under 16 Indigenous and Multicultural players from across the country, into a camp that focuses on personal and cultural development.

Away from the two representative squads, three other AFL NSW/ACT players were rewarded for their efforts at the AFL Female Diversity Championships this week.

Lilli-Mae Brunton was awarded the Most Valuable Player for the NSW/ACT Kickstart squad. Coming from Wagga Wagga, Brunton put in several impressive performances for her side, including a great goal against Tasmania and standout games against Victoria and the Northern Territory.

AFL Canberra Umpire, Lai Yee Chow was recognised for her efforts throughout the Female Diversity Championships, named as the Umpire of the Tournament.

Finally, Madena Jaffer (Sydney) from the NSW/ACT Kickstart Squad won the Half-Time Grand Final Sprint, showing enough pace to take out the race by over a body length.

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