Ultimate bragging rights will be up for grabs over the next month as some of Victoria’s best female footballers battle it out in the inaugural AFL Victoria Youth Girls Academy Challenge.
The Youth Girls Academy Challenge is the first opportunity female players aged 15 to 18 have to showcase their development and test themselves against other talented females in different regions.
Held during February and March, eight TAC Youth Girls Academies will be divided into two pools and compete in a round-robin competition over six weeks.
Bendigo Pioneers, Calder Cannons, Murray Bushrangers and North Ballarat Rebels make up the Northern pool, while Geelong Western, Sandringham Dragons, Dandenong Stingrays and Gippsland Power create the Southern pool.
Of the 20 matches played in the tournament, 11 of the first 12 games will be held throughout regional Victoria to showcase local talent to the community.
AFL Clubs North Melbourne, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs will also host matches, with the Grand Final scheduled to be played at Punt Road on March 28 at 5pm on Easter Monday.
The inaugural fixture also includes two double header matches alongside TAC Cup preseason games between Murray Bushrangers vs Bendigo and Gippsland Power vs Dandenong.
Established in 2008, the growth of the TAC Youth Girls Academies has been significant, rising from 24 players in its initial year, to investing in the development of more than 350 participants this season.
AFL Victoria Female Development Manager, Chyloe Kurdas said that the Youth Girls Academy Challenge is the next step for players wanting to further their football careers to the elite level.
"The quality of talent and the desire of girls to compete at this level of football over the last couple of years have been extraordinary.
"The event not only provides players and staff with the opportunity to put what they have learnt into practice, but also gives them a chance to gain match day experience at a high level, and showcase their development to State team selectors prior to May’s AFL National Championships.
"The Youth Girls Academy Challenge acts as an equivalent Under 18 state league for young women, so we hope that we get a lot of support in its inaugural year."
The opening round of the AFL Victoria Youth Girls Academy Challenge will kick off on February 20th from 9am at Epsom Huntly Reserve.
http://www.aflvic.com.au/female/high-performance/youth-girl-academy-challenge/
Last Modified on 19/02/2016 10:04