North Coast Force Junior Rep Teams Announced
AFL North Coast today announced the Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, and Youth Girls North Coast Force representative teams that will compete at the Northern Coast representative carnival in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 July 2017.
Until this season, AFL North Coast has fielded two separate teams in each group under the banners of Mid North Coast and North Coast. Earlier this year the decision was made to combine the teams to reflect the entire region covered by the League, and to strengthen the quality of the representative program.
AFL North Coast Football Operations Co-ordinator, Paul Taylor said that the decision to create the new entity is already proving a winner. “This season we had by far our best turn-out to the rep trials, both in numbers attending and in the depth of quality. We’re really excited by the standard of each of the teams and can’t wait to see them performing on home soil within our region.”
“We’ve created a new identity, the North Coast Force, to reflect the fact that we’re a combined force from throughout the region, and that we’re a rising force both within the AFL system and in local sport. We’ve also got brand new uniforms with an Indigenous design that reflect the region coming together as one.”
The carnival on 11 and 12 July will see the North Coast Force teams battle it out against Central Coast, Hunter Coast, Northern Rivers, and North West to determine the dominant League in Northern NSW.
Mr Taylor said that the representative carnival will feature the best underage players living between the Hawkesbury and Tweed Rivers. “The talent on display will be outstanding, and the matches will be quality affairs. This is a great chance for players from our region to test themselves against the best players in Northern NSW and to press their claims for higher representative honours.”
Selectors will be at the Northern Coast carnival and will be looking for players with the skills, attributes, and discipline to be part of both the Talented Player Program, which is the forerunner to the state team, and the Sydney Swans Academy.
Mr Taylor said that the North Coast is building a reputation as a talent nursery and is looking to build on this through the 2017 representative program. “In the past two seasons we’ve had eight male players and two female players from across our region who have excelled in playing for NSW/ACT teams, as well as Nikki Wallace who played in the inaugural season of AFLW. Selection in the North Coast representative teams is the first step for the next crop of players to emulate these fantastic role models. We’re constantly looking for ways to build our representative program and pathways to ensure that local players have the best chance of excelling and pursuing their dreams.”
Details of each of the selected teams can be found at North Coast Force rep team details 29.6.17
Fast facts
Who: North Coast Force Representative Teams
Ages: Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, and Youth Girls
When: Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 July 2017
Where: Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park 1 & 2, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour
