AFL NT has launched an expansive talent search to identify the best female footballers in the Top End.
The Adelaide Football Club and AFL NT have formed a significant partnership in a bid to secure a licence in the inaugural AFL Women’s competition in 2017.
The Crows have conducted their own talent search, with more than 60 female footballers turning out for training sessions at West Lakes each of the past two weekends.
On Tuesday, female football star Abbey Holmes and members of the Territory media participated in a trial testing, including standing and running vertical jump tests, an agility test, a 20m sprint and a skills session. Holmes and the participants wore Crows colours for the hit-out.
AFL NT Chief Executive Officer, Michael Solomon, announced that local athletes can now register for the upcoming search in Darwin. Solomon said it was a great opportunity for members of the media to see firsthand what the women would be going through at the trials later this year.
“We are proud to announce registrations are now open for the AFL National Female Talent Search that will occur in Darwin on Thursday, July 7,” Solomon said.
“In addition, we will be conducting a talent search in Alice Springs in the lead-up to the AFL match to be played there.
“It is great to see members of the media here today getting a taste of what is involved in the testing.
“We are doing all that we can to ensure we are represented in the first-ever women’s competition and are continuing to actively pursue working with the Adelaide Football Club who we thank for supplying us with the tops today.
“We encourage all female athletes in the Territory to register in order to lead the way and place us firmly on the map. There is definitely no lack of talent here so to have a women’s team will be a massive win for the Territory.
“We hope today is a pre-cursor of things to come,” Solomon said.
Following trials in the Territory, athletes who display skills and athleticism suited to Australian Football will be invited to join the established NT State Academy in order to help fast track their development.
Details of the upcoming Territory Talent Searches are as follows:
DARWIN
AFL NT National Female Talent Search
Thursday, July 7, 9am – 2.30pm
Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre, Darwin
ALICE SPRINGS
AFL NT National Female Talent Search
DATE TBC, 9am – 2.30pm
Traeger Park, Alice Springs
Athletes can register their interest for the Darwin Talent Search by clicking here.
More information can be found by visitingwww.AFL.com.au/womens
