AFL Victoria's inaugural Victorian Youth Girls Championship showcased the very best in junior girls football last Saturday.
In a thrilling finish, it was the Footy-Pak South-East girls that got over the line against their Western rivals at Casey Fields.
Full results:
Footy Pak South East Youth Girls - 9.15-69
Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation - 7.5-47
Footy Pak South East Youth Girls
Goal Kickers: C. Clarkson 4, M. Marshall, R. Pearce, C. Peers, A. Heins, E. Champion
Best Players: E. Champion, K. Donnellan, M. Marshall, R. Pearce, N. Cicciari
Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation
Goal Kickers: J. Cameron 4, C. Smith 2, L. Camilleri
Best Players: B. Surgeon, J. Cameron, C. Smith, K. Temuskos, R. Schwarze
Ex-Hawthorn star and Footy-Pak representative Angelo Lekkas tossed the coin to start the match while women's football icon Debbie Lee presented the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation Nicole Graves Cup to the winning captain.
In another first, a full contingent of female umpires controlled the match, using experienced Youth Girls umpires from the Dandenong Umpires' Association, as well as those in AFL Victoria's Umpire Development Programs located at Our Lady of Sacred Heart College (Bentleigh) and the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation Youth Girls competition (West).
AFL Victoria Female Football Development Manager Chyloe Kurdas said the match was well-supported and would be a key development plank in junior girls footy going forward.
``It's the experience of playing against their talented peers,'' Kurdas said.
``It's the first time they have had the chance to play against talented kids in a representative context.
``The success of the day means that we look forward to a bigger and better competition next year and in future years.''
Kurdas hoped teams from the new competitions such as the Bendigo league could be included in future years.
Last Modified on 14/12/2008 17:38