Suns will search female talent

TOWNSVILLE’S female Aussie Rules talent now has a stepping stone to the AFLW competition, with Gold Coast Suns announcing they will target local players to feature in a new winter series from next year.

The Suns will hold a talent i d e n t i f i - cation clinic in Townsville on March 3 aimed at athletes 16 years or older who are playing AFL or other sports.

Gold Coast will play GWS Giants and Brisbane Lions in a 12- week program across 2018 and 2019.

The club hopes the initiative will provide the ideal preparation before it officially joins the AFLW in 2020.

Magnetic Island product Breanna Koenen ( above) played for the Lions in this year’s inaugural AFLW season, and Gold Coast hopes to uncover more talent in the north.

“We believe female footballers on the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and throughout North Queensland will aspire to represent their regions through this competition in what is a stepping stone to joining the elite competition in 2020,” Suns chief executive Mark Evans said.

“It will allow the Suns to truly represent the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and North Queensland with players set to come from a range of clubs and even potentially other sports.

“Importantly we will also work closely with all of the women’s teams and clubs in the QWAFL ( Queensland Women’s Australian Football League) and QWFA ( Queensland Women’s Football Association), along with North Queensland to identify the local talent, develop training programs and provide development opportunities.”