AFL NT has launched the TIO Women’s Lightning Series, a seven-round competition set to begin Saturday May 14.
Four teams will compete in the TIO Women’s Lightning Series with guernseys to feature special ‘racerback’ designs and a Crow emblazoned on the front, representing AFLNT’s formal partnership with the Adelaide Crows.
Featuring the Territory’s most exciting female footballers, the 16-a-side series will see all matches played as curtain raisers to NT Thunder NEAFL home-fixtures.
Matches will feature modified rules including a 10 metre protected area and 15-minute quarters with no time-on.
As part of the inaugural competition, a Female Coaching Academy will be formed to further develop current NTFL coaches.
In addition, a Female Umpiring Academy will be developed to grow female umpires in the Top End.
AFLNT Chief Executive Officer Michael Solomon said it was an exciting time for football in the Northern Territory and thanked the Territory Insurance Office (TIO) for their continued support.
“This is a huge step forward for the development of female footballers, umpires, and coaches in the Territory.
“With a national competition set for 2017, we are working hard to ensure our women have the best possible opportunities to develop on and off the field.
“The competition itself will feature different guernsey designs and some rule modifications.
“We have the scope to experiment with rule modifications such as the last touch out-of-bounds rule that we have seen implemented in the SANFL this year,” Mr Solomon said.
Solomon said there is plenty of talent in the Territory and AFLNT’s aim is to have a joint women’s team with the Adelaide Crows in the inaugural national women’s competition.
“We will continue to work with the Adelaide Football Club in a formal capacity and present a joint proposal to the AFL in the near future.
“We would especially like to thank TIO for their willingness to commit to the TIO Women’s Lightning Series and to football in the Territory more broadly,” Mr Solomon said.
TIO Chief Executive Officer Daryl Madden said TIO has long been a supporter of Territory football and is proud to continue this support through its naming rights sponsorship of the TIO Women’s Lightning Series.
“TIO has been invested in Territory football for many years now and our support for the Women’s Lighting Series demonstrates our commitment to the Code’s long-term development,” Mr Madden said.
“AFL is a big part of life in the NT and launching this exciting new series is more than an opportunity for our elite female players but is also a catalyst for the development of all women in the sport, including female umpires, administrators and training staff.
“This is a very exciting time for women in football and TIO is extremely proud to be involved in the development and support of the code as a whole, for the future development of AFL in the Northern Territory.”
“We want women in football to believe they are capable of achieving greatness and look forward to the day that Territory women compete on the national stage,” Mr Madden said.
The four teams to feature in the TIO Women’s Lightning Series will be Crows Red, Crows Blue, Crows White, and Crows Yellow.
TIO Women’s Lightning Series Rule Modifications:
Last Touch Rule – A free kick will be awarded against a team for any kick or handball that goes out of bounds without being touched. A player who spoils the ball, picks up the ball and carries it over the boundary line or taps the ball over the line will not be penalised — as long as she is not regarded as taking the ball out of play deliberately.
High Density Rule –Two forwards and their opponents must remain inside 50 at all stoppages
Protected Area – Size of the protected area around the mark to be 10 metres, while umpires will also be given a stricter adjudication on ruling on players engaged in a handover of who is guarding the mark.
Match duration – Four quarters of 15 minutes without time on.
TIO WOMEN’S LIGHTNING SERIES FIXTURE:
Round 1 – Saturday 14th May
Crows Blue v Crows Red
4.00pm – 5.30pm
TIO Oval 1
Crows White v Crows Yellow
4.45pm – 6.15pm
TIO Oval 2
Round 2 – Saturday 21st May
Crows Red v Crows White
4.00pm – 5.30pm
TIO Oval 1
Crows Yellow v Crows Blue
4.45pm – 6.15pm
TIO Oval 2
Round 3 – Saturday 4th June
Crows Blue v Crows White
4.00pm – 5.30pm
TIO Oval 1
Crows Red v Crows Yellow
4.45pm – 6.15pm
TIO Oval 2
Round 4 – Saturday 25th June
Crows Yellow v Crows White
4.00pm – 5.30pm
TIO Oval 1
Crows Blue v Crows Red
4.45pm – 6.15pm
TIO Oval 2
Round 5 – Saturday 23rd July
Crows Yellow v Crows Blue
4.00pm – 5.30pm
TIO Oval 1
Crows White v Crows Red
4.45pm – 6.15pm
TIO Oval 2
Preliminary Finals – Saturday 13th August
Grand Final – Date TBC
