Cairns plays part in women’s team bid
CAIRNS will be central to the Gold Coast Suns’ bid for an AFLW licence.
Following the success of the inaugural AFLW season, in which four Far North footballers competed, the Suns will today announce the club will bring the first AFL Women’s games to North Queensland should the Suns successfully secure a competition licence.
Gold Coast Suns CEO Mark Evans and AFL Queensland CEO Dean Warren will confirm the plans at AFL Cape York House this morning.
The first expansion is expected in 2019 and will include at least two new teams with as many as eight AFL clubs looking to join the league.
The Suns’ bid for an AFL Women’s team also includes a commitment to selecting graduates from AFL Cape York House’s girls academy to play for the Suns.
“Women’s AFL and the junior girls’ programs across North Queensland are as strong as you will find across the country,” Evans said.
“Our bid for an AFL Women’s team included a desire to play one game per season in North Queensland, celebrating the strong women’s football programs throughout the region.
“In 2016, the Suns, with the support of AFL Queensland, established a Female Talent Academy program tailored to North Queensland and that program is already delivering.
“Six athletes from North Queensland were selected to represent the state at this year’s Under 18 Championships.
“Lauren Bella (Mackay) and Kitara Farrar (Cairns) were also named in the All-Australian squad, highlighting North Queensland is punching well above its weight when it comes to junior development of future AFLW players.”
Cairns footballers Selina Goodman, Breanna Koenen, Tiarna Ernst and Leah Kaslar all featured in the first season of elite women’s footy.
The boarding house is set to open in 2019 and will provide young women from remote indigenous communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait with accommodation while they attend high school in Cairns.
The Suns believe AFL Cape York House for Girls will be as successful as the Bungalowbased boys’ program, opened in 2013.
The boys’ house boasts a 97 per cent retention rate, with several students currently completing university degrees as well as participating in the club’s academy programs.