The 2017 Victorian AFL Women’s Talent Search will take place this Saturday at Maribyrnong Sport Academy.
The day aims to give female athletes who are currently active in other sports the opportunity to test their football skills and fitness.
Over 300 nominations were received for the Victorian talent search over the last month, with numbers reduced to 50 for the testing this weekend. Priority was given to athletes without a footy background, who had competed at international, national or state level in their chosen sport.
Athletes from basketball, netball, weightlifting, sailing, swimming, gymnastics and soccer will be put through a series of tests by Rookie Me, including 5m, 10m and 20m sprint, agility test, standing vertical jump, running vertical jump and beep test followed by a light skills session.
After the success of the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s season, participation in women’s football is booming across the state, and the latest talent search will aim to discover a host of new talent for the AFL and state-based competitions.
AFL Victoria Female Talent Manager Darren Flanigan said the talent search last year discovered a number of future AFL W players.
“We have seen how quickly athletes from other sports can adapt to our game, with a number of players like Lauren Pearce (Darebin/Melbourne), Cat Phillips (Melbourne Uni/Melbourne) and Sarah/Jess Hosking (Seaford/Carlton) all transitioning from sports including basketball, ultimate frisbee and netball to become VFL then AFL players after attending a talent search session,” Flanigan said.
“The talent search provides an opportunity for athletes contemplating giving football a go, the chance to showcase their athletic talent.
“Those that show potential, we will work with further to help develop their football skills through our Women’s Academy and by working with state-level clubs.”
The four Victorian AFL W clubs will be in attendance this weekend, along with a number of Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s clubs.
Previous talent search success stories in Lauren Pearce, Harriet Cordner and Cat Phillips will also attend the day to share their football journey, along with a number of AFL W players.
WHEN
Saturday, April 8 from 9am – 12pm
WHERE
Maribyrnong Secondary College, River St, Maribyrnong.
Last Modified on 07/04/2017 21:35