THE development of an eight-team national women’s Australian Rules league could lead to the creation of a Youth Girls competition locally.
The Australian Football League announced on Wednesday an eight-team national competition will occur in February, featuring teams from Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
Each club will be able to nominate five marquee players and two elite players, with the majority of the 200 players needed to fill squads to come from State-based drafts.
The AFL is planning to expand the competition, with clubs who missed out on receiving a licence for the 2017 season – Geelong, North Melbourne, St Kilda and West Coast – receiving provisional licences.
“This will get so many girls in the region wanting to play the game,” AFL Central Murray football development manager, Jamie Macri said.
“Many girls have aspired to play at a national level, but now their dreams will become a reality.”
Although not having any teams locally, girls football is growing as a popular sporting option.
A number of local girls – highlighted by 2016 Victoria Country’s most valuable player at the National Youth Girls Championships, Bella Ayre – play for Woorinen in the Bendigo Junior Football League Youth Girls competition, whilst Kerang is looking at creating its own side in 2017.
“The women’s game will continue to grow, and in years to come I would love to see our own local Youth Girls or women’s competition occur and not have girls travel to Bendigo to play,” Macri said.
“This announcement also gives girls, like the Bella Ayres, who are good enough to play for their State to aspire to go further.”
The promotion of girls football was one of Macri’s key objectives when he was appointed to the football development role in 2013, with Wednesday’s AFL announcement to add another incentive for girls in the sport.
“When I started in this role the AFL was looking at setting up a women’s competition in 2020. The announcement has come three years ahead of schedule, that’s how fast the game is growing,” Macri said.
Any girls interested in playing football are encouraged to contact Macri at the AFL Central Murray Regional Administration Centre on 5033 0176.
