The AFL North Coast landscape changes dramatically on Sunday when round one of the inaugural Youth Girls competition takes to South Kempsey Oval.
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This is a watershed moment that has been over 12 months in the planning and development, and has been boosted by the phenomenal interest that was garnered by the AFL Women’s competition (AFLW). All four local teams will run out at South Kempsey Oval with two matches to be played amidst a carnival atmosphere. In the first of the matches Grafton Tigers are up against the Port Macquarie Magpies at 12:15pm, with the Macleay Valley Eagles taking on Coffs Breakers at 3:30pm.
Scott Dalton, AFL NSW/ACT Development Co-ordinator, reflected the feeling of the whole footy community. “I just can’t wait for Sunday. It’s going to be fantastic to be involved in this historic event for footy on the North Coast. It’s not every day that you get to be involved in the inception of a new competition and everybody associated with local footy is excited that this day has arrived.
“We’ve always had solid interest from girls keen to play our sport and the introduction of this competition will make our sport even more attractive to girls of all ages, and from a variety of different sports. This competition gives girls an avenue to not only continue on in the sport they love, but also provides a pathway towards the AFLW.”
The response to the introduction of the Youth Girls competition has been overwhelmingly positive with excellent player numbers at each club. More girls within the 13 to 17 age bracket are always welcome and anyone interested in trying their hand at AFL should go to www.play.afl to connect with their local club.
AFLW proved so popular with women of all ages that the AFL Northern NSW team are currently in the process of organising come and try events for women in several regional locations. Anyone interested in learning more about these events should contact the Northern NSW office on 6659 6000.
In addition to the Youth Girls matches there will also be action in the other three age groups at South Kempsey Oval, with Macleay Valley Eagles taking on Port Macquarie in the Under 11 and Coffs Breakers in both the Under 13 and Under 15.5. Matches start at 9:30am.
