Teens kicking off AFL dream

NEW Norfolk teens Charlie Lovell and Perri King are a step closer to their dreams of playing in the big league after being selected in the AFL’s Woomeras representative team.

The girls are among 24 players selected nationwide after a successful campaign at the AFL Female Diversity Championships in Byron Bay last month.

Indigenous and multicultural girls aged 14-16 represented their home states in a tournament where the Tasmanian KickStart team won three games, drew one and lost two.

After strong performances, Perri and Charlie were selected for the Woomeras squad, a personal development and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

“I was shocked because I didn’t think I was going to go this far with football,” Perri said.

The selection has opened a new career path for the girls, who were selected for their football ability and leadership. They now want a crack at the big league AFL.

“I didn’t believe that I would actually make it, but then I thought if I really want to go far with football I’m going to try my best and hope for the best. I’m quitting all of my other sports to focus on football,” Perri said.

She was a driving force behind the New Norfolk District Football club junior girls team and her passion led to Charlie joining the side.

“When the girls had their first training session, Perri was training and asked me if I wanted to come down,’’ Charlie said. “I really enjoyed it and got a passion for it.”