Force is primed for Hunter Challenge Cup

The North Coast Force representative program will be out to show the burgeoning depth of AFL talent within the region when it heads south to the Hunter Challenge Cup this weekend (10 and 11 June).

For the first ever time, the Force will be fielding teams in each age group with the debut of the Youth Girls 15 team at the carnival. This highlights the rapid growth of girls footy across the North Coast as it follows hot on the heels of the addition of the Youth Girls 13 team at last year’s carnival.

The Hunter Challenge Cup will see the Force up against the representative teams from Hunter Metro, Hunter Country, and Central Coast, with the performances of all teams added together to determine the overall positions at carnival’s end. In 2022, the Force program finished runners-up, further cementing the region’s reputation for producing strong teams.

Despite the significant distances between towns on the North Coast, the selected teams have been coming together on a fortnightly basis since mid April to build cohesion and refine game plans. Players have shown great commitment to the program and are ready to match it with the Hunter and Central Coast teams on their ‘home’ patch.

Adding to the significance of the event is the involvement of staff from the Sydney Swans Academy who will be on hand to view matches and identify players of note.

The Hunter Challenge Cup is being played at Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreational Complex in Tuggerah. Teams will play either three or four matches across the two days, with matches starting at 9:00am both days, and going through until 7:20pm on Saturday and 2:20pm on Sunday.

Following the Hunter Challenge Cup, the North Coast Force teams will compete in the Northern NSW Championship in Coffs Harbour from Saturday 8 to Monday 10 July.