Exciting times at first Academy Games

North Coast Academy girls playing at half time in the 2017 JLT Series match between Sydney Swans and North Melbourne

Five members of the North Coast Academy of Sport AFLW Program are competing at the Academy Games in Newcastle with places in the NSW/ACT Under 16 team on the line.

Sahara Elfar (Port Magpies), Jasmyn Hoppe (Northern Beaches Blues), Aleisha Mavin (Coffs Breakers), Allana Ryan-Silvia (Coffs Breakers), and Casey Wynne (Coffs Breakers) have joined with girls from Southern Sports Academy to compete across Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 April. Over the course of the two days the girls will compete against players from the other 9 Academies across NSW in full view of the watchful eyes of AFL NSW/ACT selectors.

The North Coast Academy of Sport girls have been training together since February under the tutelage of Head Coaches Sally Pannifex and Cambridge McCormack.

Following a review of the pathway for girls, AFL NSW/ACT committed to funding the state-wide regional Academy network and introducing a NSW/ACT Under 16 state team. This team will be selected based on performances at the Academy Games.

Best of luck to the five girls for a successful carnival.