Youth girls impress at camp

The future looks bright for women’s AFL in NSW/ACT, with 29 of the region’s best young talent attending the U18 Youth Girls Development Camp in Canberra.　

The girls – who travelled from diverse regions of the state including Port Macquarie, Illawarra, Sydney, Goulburn, ACT and the flood stricken areas of Albury and Wagga Wagga -were treated to a two day training camp of skills, drills, speakers and personal development sessions in preparation for the State Championships in May.

The camp was an important stepping stone in the Youth Girls program in ensuring a clear representative pathway is established, and has received glowing reports from the parents and those involved in the initiative.

While it was primarily used as a selection camp for the State Squad to be announced this week, the girls also enjoyed some sightseeing and team bonding activities in their visit to the Nations Capital. In the lead up to the highly anticipated Sydney Derby, the team helped celebrate Sydney’s newest football team, the GWS Giants, by attending the NAB Cup game at Manuka Oval. The game was an exciting experience for some who have little access to live games during the season.　

Female/AFL 9s Development Manager, Libby Sadler was pleased with the display of skills and enthusiasm the girls had for the game; “The most exciting thing about Youth Girls Football across NSW/ACT is the continual display of passion and enthusiasm the girls have to improve their football knowledge and skills.”

“This is the first time we’ve run a camp like this and the response from the parents and daughters alike has been very encouraging,” she said.

Under the watchful guidance of Head Coach Sarah McFarlane and Assistant Coach David Webb, the girls went through their paces in beep tests and practice matches, each showcasing their talent to vie for a spot in the final squad.

Coach McFaralane believes that NSW/ACT has one of their best squads heading into this year’s National Championships.

“Youth Girls football is going from strength to strength across NSW/ACT. Having been involved with the 2011 campaign, I can certainly attest to the improvement in skills and football knowledge our youth girls are displaying,” he said.

The NSW/ACT group has brought about its own new meaning to the word ‘family’. Three sets of sisters attended the two day camp. The Hill sisters from Baulkham Hills in Sydney, the Dobing sisters from Gungahlin in Canberra, and the Ried sisters from Goulburn Swans Football Club in the states South all pulled on the boots for the two day training.

In addition to on-field skills like kicking, handballing and tackling there were several off-field presentations. Chris Rouke, the 2011 NEAFL winning coach; Tom Harley, Two-time-Premiership Captain and current GM of AFL NSW/ACT; Aaron Bruce, ACT captain of the U23’s; and Grace Gill of the Canberra United Soccer side all talked about their journey in sport and the significance of being part of a representative side.

General Manager of NSW/ACT Tom Harley spoke highly of growing girls initiatives in NSW/ACT; “I love girls footy! Aside from being one of the fastest growing segments of AFL in Australia, the young women that I have had the pleasure of being exposed to in our programs are so passionate about the game without a hint of pretence.”

“They play the game because they love it and their enthusiasm is infectious. It goes without saying, I am a massive fan of female footy!” he said.

A team of 27 players has been selected to participate in the U18 Youth Girls National Championships in Adelaide in May.　

Player	Club
Jakara Gamble	Kiama Power
Kahli Abbott	Riverina Lions
Corinne Wilkes	Camden Haven Bombers
Eleanor Wright	Port Macquarie Magpies
Sophie Ann Gaynor	Riverina Lions
Sophie O’DEA	Belconnen magpies
Heather Anderson	Belconnen Magpies
Stella Xie	Newtown Breakaways
Georgia Hosking	Kiama Power
Bridie Hill	Baulkham Hills
Alexandra Tegg	Southern Power
Kate Reid	Goulburn Swans
Nicola Kennedy	Northern Districts Tigers
Talarah Bell	Shellharbour Swans
Morgane Smee	Weston Creek Wildcats/Eastlake
Cassandra Reid	Goulburn Swans
Tayla Reynolds (Baker)	Gungahlin Jets
Kirsty Church	Kiama Power
Maddy Collier	Nowra or Kiama Power
Victoria King	Tuggeranong
Sophie Rose King	Shellharbour Swans
Renee Schwarze	Northern Tigers
Paige Mathewson	Riverina Lions
Samantha Hamilton	Baulkham Hills
Gabriella Pound	Albury (new comp.)
Rachel Friend	Ainslie
Karina Koeck	Ainslie