THE 2020 AFLW competition is two rounds old and has already captured the imagination of women and girls across the coast.
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Being able to see top line women's footy on free to air TV is driving interest, with a significant spike recorded in enquiries about connecting with local Youth Girls and Women's teams.
"Each year since the inception of AFLW we've had an influx of enquiries from women and girls wanting to play locally," Community Football Manager, Paul Taylor said.
"This year, with more teams in the AFLW meaning more games on TV each week, the number of enquiries have gone to another level.
"In the Women's competition, Grafton and Northern Beaches will form their own teams this year after playing as a joint venture in 2019, whilst the Youth Girls age group is expecting to see Port Macquarie Magpies and Nambucca Valley Lions join the fray."
To help in capturing this interest, AFL NSW/ACT will be running a series of come and try days across the region from Taree to Grafton for players born in 2009 and older.
The most pleasing aspect of starting female footy has been the way the existing clubs have embraced female players...
- Paul Taylor
Most players coming to AFL have a background in other sports and are finding that the skills learnt are instantly transferable.
"Those who have played sports like netball and soccer are finding the movements and positioning similar but are loving the extra physical contact, while basketballers love the extra space to move in," Taylor said.
The AFL North Coast competition is entering its third season which means that even the more experienced players are still developing their game.
Newcomers are always welcome with plenty of volunteers to help show them the ropes and breakdown the new skills.
"The most pleasing aspect of starting female footy has been the way the existing clubs have embraced female players, with every club readily acknowledging that their organisation for having girls and women's teams and players," Taylor said.
"In turn, the girls and women are feeding off these environments and are loving playing footy and being around their club."
To find your local footy club go to https://play.afl/. For more information on the come and try days, or any other aspect of female footy, contact Matt Crawley on 0431 877 173 or matthew.crawley@afl.com.au.
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