The Port Augusta Girls Football program has wrapped up its season with a fantastic finals event.
After three months of tough competition, the top teams from the under-11, under-13 and under-16 age groups capped their seasons in front of supporters and scouts from North Adelaide Football Club’s women’s program.
AFLW captain Chelsea Randall was part of the day and handed out premiership medals to winning teams.
Randall also gave umpiring a go, officiating the under-16 final.
Fundraising is critical to community led competitions and this day was no exception, with the The Lions Club sausage sizzle raising $600 on the day.
Port Augusta Girls Football coordinator Sam Boully said the money raised would make a big difference to the program, which had been supported this year by the Adelaide Football Club and its co-major AFLW partner, BHP.
“BHP paid for all of the sausages and bread, which meant every dollar earned went straight towards the girls,” Boully said.
“The girls are currently wearing second-hand boys' guernseys, so I’m hoping this money will help us purchase some new uniforms for the players next year.”
Boully said the support from BHP has made a massive difference for her and the players.
“The girls had such a better season with their support, especially having access to the brand-new equipment and the season trophies and grand final medals, which the girls loved,” Boully said.
“For me, there was more energy put into the girls and less stress behind the scenes because we weren’t having to scrap around for resources.”
While the organising committee is looking forward to a much-deserved break through the off season, it already has big plans for next winter.
“We definitely feel like the interest in the competition has grown and we will have more players next year,” Boully said.
“We still sometimes struggle to get enough players and have to borrow from other teams, so we are really hoping to build numbers to create a more even competition.
“We would love to see a team from Whyalla or Pirie travel to be part of the competition.”
BHP Olympic Dam Corporate Affairs Manager Rachael Siddall said fostering girls’ football at local, grassroots level was important to BHP.
“Through our AFLW partnership with the Crows, we support a range of activities in our key regions of Roxby Downs, Port Augusta and Whyalla aimed at inspiring girls and women,” Ms Siddall said.
“The Port Augusta Girls Football program is a fantastic example of the great work being done in our communities and we can’t wait to see what is achieved next year."
Grand Final Results:
U13
West (31) defeated Centrals (25)
BOG – Sophie O’Hanlon (West)
U16
Centrals (37) defeated South (25)
BOG – Zakira Wingfield (Centrals)
