It’s time for rep footy
Representative season is upon us, with AFL North Coast announcing five squads that will fly the flag for the North Coast Force.
The teams that have been announced are the Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Youth Girls, and Women’s. All five teams will be in action this Saturday (8 June) when they take on the AFL North West representative teams in Tamworth.
The four younger age groups will use their match as preparation for the Northern NSW Carnival which is to be staged in Coffs Harbour in July. At this carnival the North Coast Force will take on the best that Central Coast, Hunter, North West, and Illawarra have to offer.
The Women’s match is a one-off so there’s no room for error. The team will be keen to retain the shield which was convincingly won on home soil in last year’s inaugural Women’s representative clash.
Community Football Manager, Paul Taylor, said that the representative programs continue to build year on year. “We’ve had record numbers trial for both the Under 13 and Under 15 age groups which is a great reflection on how highly players are valuing the Force program. The quality in these two teams is outstanding and we expect them to compete really strongly in 2019.
“There’s been healthy competition for places in the Under 17 age group and with a couple of players just returned from representing the Sydney Swans Academy Under 17 team this group should be very competitive.
“North Coast is developing a reputation as a breeding ground for elite female talent with one player already on an AFLW list and two more expected to be drafted this year. Our Youth Girls team represents the next wave of that talent coming through and we’re excited to watch them develop in the coming years.
“Women’s footy is drawing new players nearly every week and the talent in the competition is exceptional. We have a number of players in the rep team that are getting their first taste of rep footy and the enthusiasm within the group is contagious.”
To see a squad list for each team please click here.
The match timings in Tamworth are:
10:30am – Under 13
11:55am – Under 15
1:40pm – Youth Girls
3:05pm – Under 17
5:00pm – Women
All matches are being played at No. 1 Oval, Kable Street, Tamworth so there will be eight hours of quality footy action. Entry to the ground is free.
These matches continue the rivalry that extends between the two regions and that was on show last Saturday (1 June) when the North Coast Masters took on their counterparts from the North West at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour.