SHOALHAVEN TO START GIRLS U12’s COMPETITION
There’s great news for any girls who live in the Shoalhaven area between the ages of 9 and 12 years old in 2019!
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Due to the high community interest and demand, an option for girls to play AFL has now become a reality for these girls.
The Shoalhaven Junior League will be introducing a club-based under 12’s girls competition to their home and away fixturing for next year.
Current Shoalhaven Junior clubs are Bomaderry, Shoalhaven Giants, Bay Basin Bombers, Ulladulla and Batemans Bay Seahawks and they will start recruiting in early 2019.
This is a very exciting time for the girls as the only previous option to play competitively was to play in the predominantly boys club teams.
The games will be played in line with the other club age groups in the Sunday home and away competition that exists now.
All other clubs currently boast 9’s, 11’s, 13’s, 15’s and 17’s.
The addition of the girls under 12’s will add so much more to not only the competition but to the individual clubs.
Girls are really quick learners and it’s noticeable that their skills improve weekly and so does their desire for physical competition.
The addition of the extra numbers at training will also allow coaches to expand their training drills.
These girls that are transitioning to AFL want that little bit more physicality that their current sport has for them.
The opportunity for these girls to progress through their clubs and then be able to participate in future AFL female academies is huge.
This competition could become their springboard to much better opportunities through AFLW.
Information around come and try days for the clubs will come through their schools via the newsletter, so stay tuned!
AFL WOMEN’S LEAGUE STAR OF THE FUTURE
Melanie Louise Staunton.
Plays for the Ulladulla Dockers.
Favourite team: GWS GIANTS
Favourite Player: Jonathan Patton.
Mel has been playing AFL for the past 2 years.
Mel usually plays in the centre or on the ball.
Mel won the clubs U11’s best and fairest in 2016.
Played in the Illawarra Saints U14 representative side last year.
Due to limited opportunities for female football in remote areas Mel played with the Illawarra Saints U16's side where she got the team’s MVP award earlier this year.
Mel loves playing AFL and the people she plays with and loves to help out around the club. Look out for this South Coast shining light!
