TRENT SLATTER | THE CHRONICLE | MARCH 7 2013
WITH kick-off for the AFL Darling Downs season less than a month away, it's not just the men who can't wait to run out on the field.
South Toowoomba, Warwick and Lockyer Valley will enter teams in the newly formed women's competition.
It won't be a full season in the first year with games to be played under a round-robin format every third Sunday starting at the end of April.
The top two teams will go on to contest the grand final in August.
Girls can only play junior football until under-15s and AFLQ club coordinator Chris Davis said the new competition was a great way to keep them involved in the sport.
"It's all driven by interest from the clubs. They've said we've got players who want to give it a go," he said.
"Warwick have got about 20 players on their books. They kicked off training in December.
"Once firm word gets around about the competition, hopefully we'll see a few more players sign up."
The women's league is just one initiative to ensure more senior football on the Darling Downs this season.
Reserve grade was revived last season with just three teams but new-comers Chinchilla are also set to join the competition in 2013.
And the City versus Country fixture is back with the best players from Toowoomba and Highfields to play the best of the bush in May.
"It gives players who are not quite in that best 22, a chance to play a higher level of football in a different format," Davis said.
AFL Darling Downs women's league
- Teams: Warwick, South Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley
- Round-robin format played every third Sunday
- Games consist of 20-minute halves
Last Modified on 11/04/2013 10:26
