COAST GIRLS SHOW TRUE TEAM SPIRIT
Coach lauds players’ efforts as state titles open up women’s AFL pathway
FEMALE Australian Rules continues to grow at a rapid rate, with the Queensland School Sport 13-15 years state championship being held in Cairns a short time ago (9 – 13th May).
There were nine regions competing in the girls’ division. Participation is becoming much more accepted in the girls’ area, with skill levels improving and play becoming extremely exciting.
The competition was conducted at Cazalys and Watsons Park, with all games having four quarters of 15 minutes. South Coast progressed through to the grand final but were outclassed by a stronger Sunshine Coast team going down 15 – 41.
The game was not reflected in the scores, with strong play coming from both sides. Sunshine Coast were strongest on the day and took the opportunity to play smart football from the first bounce. With a strong breeze prevailing to one end of the ground, there was a clear scoring end and they took advantage of that.
Selina Priest, coach of the South Coast team, was extremely pleased with the girls’ “never-give-up attitude” and their improving skills. The girls played well during the entire championships and grew stronger every game. Coach Selina believes the girls played their grand final against Metropolitan West the day before, winning 29 – 19. On Day 1 they defeated Metropolitan North 52 – 7 and Day 2 saw them winning strongly against Capricornia 111 – 3.
Prior to travelling to Cairns, the girls trained one to two times a week, depending on their availability as they came from right across the region. After each training, Selina was impressed with the way their skills improved and they jelled as a team. Their growth as a truly harmonious team was complete with the plane trip to Cairns as management saw the girls become fully supportive of each other, which is essential in a team.
South Coast dug in and gave it their all with Ella Stuart our best on ground for the grand final and a true highlight on the day who read the play well, took multiple critical marks off halfback. She showed the Queensland selectors exactly what they needed to see from her and that’s why she cemented herself a spot in the maroon guernsey.
Giselle Davies was voted players’ player by her peers. All players throughout the state championship played their roles, whether it be in the mids, forwards or back positions. Our back line defended well and made it difficult for the other team to go forward. Our midfielders were great at getting the ball going forward and our forwards were fantastic at kicking goals and keeping it inside our 50.
It should be noted that the girls in the various regional teams are only now starting to take advantage of the opportunity to progress through junior football to the youth divisions. Many top women’s league level clubs are still attracting new players who have never played the game before and it is from these school competitions that the future of the sport is started.
From the South Coast region, 23 girls were selected at the trials to represent the region, with five shadow players also selected. The South Coast region has showed strong form over the years, winning the competition in 2014, 2016 and 2017, while being runners-up in 2015 and this year.
Six girls were selected in the Queensland team to travel to Adelaide in July to contest the national championships. Another was selected as a shadow. This participation pathway provides opportunities to players of all skill levels to get experience if they wish to make this sport part of their future.
The Gold Coast Academy of Sport and the Gold Coast community would like to wish the girls selected all the best.