Women’s footy returns
Women’s AFL is the fastest growing sport in the country, and the North Coast is right on board!
Five matches have already been staged for the women of the North Coast with over 50 individuals having played in at least one match during the season, showing just how much interest there is in the code.
The next matches are rapidly approaching, being played on Saturday 23 September against the travelling Inverell Saints at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus. On this day the North Coast will field at least two teams with multiple matches to be played in a 1o minute per half, round robin format. The first match starts at 10:00am.
The matches are open to any woman aged 16 years or older. No experience is necessary and Female AFL staff will be on hand to run a free skills clinic at 10:00am for anyone new to the game.
Paul Taylor, AFL North Coast Football Operations Co-ordinator, said that momentum is really building ahead of the introduction of a competition in 2018. “The first four matches we staged were played against teams from other regions. Our last hit out was part of Grand Final day where we had 30 women join in and we were able to field two local teams for the first time.”
“We’ve had a lot of feedback from women that play other winter sports that they’re keen to try AFL but the earlier matches have clashed with their other commitments. Winter sports are now finished for the year and we’re expecting to have a whole new influx of first time players.”
Local experience has already shown that skills from sports such as Soccer, Rugby Union, Netball, and Basketball are instantly transferable to AFL, making the transition very easy.
A free BBQ lunch will be provided for players on the day. For further information about the matches on 23 September, or for further upcoming opportunities, please contact your local Female Footy Champion – Cambridge McCormick (Port and surrounds) on 0439 798 575, Alana Hanson (Coffs and surrounds) on 0413 963 860, or Laura Connell (Grafton and surrounds) on 0452 605 293.