THE AFL North West is looking at ways to help promote women's football in the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The organisation is forming a sub-committee, with the aim to increase women's participation in the sport across the region.
Including delegates from every club in the league, the sub-committee will aim to introduce a youth women's competition in the coming years.
Read Also:
AFL North West community football manager Paul Taylor said the sub-committee was born out of necessity.
"Our current operating model has a bit of a gap for young women looking to play the game," Taylor said.
"Currently, our system allows women to play with boys at under-14 level and then they have to wait until their old enough to play seniors.
"What we are aiming to accomplish from this sub-committee, is a way to retain those girls caught between those two age groups and keep them involved in the game for life."
Taylor said it was likely the region would have a youth girls competition in the coming years.
"At this stage, we are confident we could get a competition together for next season, but we're unsure what that would look like," he said.
"If the numbers are there, it could be a weekly thing, or it could be several gala days throughout the season.
"How the competition could look is something the sub-committee will investigate, but I feel confident in saying, if we don't get a competition up next season, we will get one running in 2021."
The formation of the sub-committee comes after the Gunnedah Bulldogs announced they were aiming to include a women's team next season.
"The really pleasing thing for us is there is a demand there from young girls wanting to play the game,"m Taylor said.
"What else is pleasing is that clubs are looking to start from the juniors and work their way up.
"Unlike in the past when clubs would focus on building up the senior ranks and then try to develop a senior side."
Taylor said the formation of the Glen Innes Celts was "a perfect example" of the sport's growing popularity in the region.
"The Celts fielded one team in 2019 and at this stage look likely to field an under-14 and under-17 side next year," he said.
"If we are able to organise a youth girls competition I think they will probably field three teams.
"The growth those guys have had is outstanding and their not alone, as the Tamworth Roosters have had a lot of juniors playing in their ranks this season.
"Honestly, it's just fantastic to see our game gain so much interest in the younger age groups."
The sub-committee will be formed next week.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
