Interest in game piqued
As the women’s game grows at a record rate nationally, the opportunities for Cairns female footballers keep on expanding. AFL Cairns women’s teams will host their first pre-season competition this weekend ahead of the 2017 campaign with a representative match against the best female footballers from Townsville later this year. Following the outrageous success of the first AFLW season, growth has already been seen in the region.
AS the women’s game grows at a record rate on a national scale, the opportunities for Cairns female footballers keep on expanding.
AFL Cairns women’s teams will host their first pre-season competition this weekend ahead of the 2017 campaign with a representative match against the best female footballers from Townsville locked in later in the year.
Following the outrageous success of the inaugural AFLW season, which four Far North footballers competed in, AFL Cairns operations manager Craig Lees is already seeing growth in the region.
“There is more interest out there, just general inquiries and people wanting to try the game,” Lees said.
“The numbers from other codes coming across is growing following the success of AFLW. There is a far greater interest in the local competition because of the national exposure.
“It is really important for our clubs and hopefully the clubs that do not have a women’s team, they can soon and we could have them aligned with all clubs.”
Four clubs will be represented: Manunda Hawks, Centrals Trinity Beach, South Cairns Cutters and North Cairns Tigers.
Ahead of the season proper, the best in Cairns will compete in the pre-season carnival, starting today from 11am with six games played. The top two will advance to a grand final tomorrow night.
The six games today will consist of two 15-minute halves with the decider to be a full four-quarter game.
In an exciting development for women’s footy, AFL Cairns will select a representative team in the coming weeks to play a Townsville team as the curtain-raiser for the annual Cairns All Stars v Indigenous and South Pacific All Stars on June 2.
“The representative footy is exciting,” Lees said.
“We have had discussions and all the girls are really keen.
“We are really encouraging all clubs to develop a community club feel with the men’s and women’s teams together.
“I think that is really important.”
AFL Queensland hopes to have 65 women’s teams and 75 female coaches across the state by next year and then 140 youth girls and junior teams.