Pathway for girls through Thunder

FOOTBALL: South West Queensland Thunder are calling all women to play in the National Premier League next year.

Women’s captain Jordie Franke has come through the Thunder ranks and gone on to play for Queensland and Australia and even played overseas in America.

She said while women’s sport in general was getting bigger and bigger with the rise of the Matildas and Socceroos, she would still like to see more girls involved.

The 23-year-old started playing in a mixed team back when SWQ Thunder did not exist.

“We didn’t have the number of girls possible to play all-girls football,” she said.

“Seeing the numbers coming through and having the opportunity for all those girls to play against each other is great.”

The experienced player features in the women’s senior team and coaches the juniors and said there is plenty of talent coming through the ranks.

“It’s really good to see so much potential coming through but with the young girls it’s more about developing their skills,” Franke said.

“Yes they want to win (but) it’s more about creating the opportunities and improving them as players so when they get to that higher level they can compete there.”

As for the senior women, Franke said they are in it to win it. SWQ Thunder trials continue next week.