Rising talent have massive incentive to show off skills
AFL THE next generation of women’s AFL talent in the Far North is gunning for a spot in the 2016 Northern Stars team.
Female players born in 1999, 2000 and 2001 attended a trial at Cazalys Stadium last week for the squad to travel to Brisbane to take part in the 2016 State Championships.
The event will be held at Yeronga late this month.
As women’s footy booms around Australia – the first AFL Women’s draft lottery was held last Thursday – there was a strong turnout of girls from Cairns and Cape York region.
Those who trained mostly play AFL Cairns Youth Girls, while some play in the AFL Cairns senior women’s competition, with Kaitlyn Knight, Poppy Boltz, Sodyla Kris, Grace Duffy, Miya Healey and Cheraine Sewter, among others on hand.
“The under-17s work towards the under-18 national program for next year,” AFL Queensland Cairns region manager Kieran Daley said.
“The girls who get selected in the Queensland squad for this competition with the Northern Stars team are all ready for the under-18s next year.
“We have got some good talent coming through the ranks,” he said.
A number of other girls expected to be in contention to make the Northern Stars team are representing Queensland at the 2016 Female Diversity Championships, including Shauna Ware, Shantel Ripia, Kitara Farra, Tiarna Awang and Jacinta Morris.
Meanwhile, the AFL Cairns Women’s Academy will kickoff on Wednesday at Cazalys Stadium from 6pm.
The 2016 State Championships will be held at Yeronga from October 20-23.