Three local girls, Katelyn Lynch (Brothers), Zeickeisha Oakley (Brothers) and Uma Brennan (BITS) recently joined girls from throughout Northern Queensland and the Gold Coast to Represent the Gold Coast Suns Academy at the inaugural Youth Girls Northern Academy Series in Coffs Harbour.
Teams from the Brisbane Lions, Sydney Swans, GWS Giants and the Gold Coast Suns battled it out with the Suns & Lions battling it out for spots in the Under 18 State Team. Game one saw the Suns girls, playing together as a team for the first time, get a good win over the Swans with both Oakley and Brennan being named in the Suns best. Game 2 they came up against a well drilled Lions outfit and despite not winning the game Oakley was again named amongst the best and Brennan kicked her first goal of the series. In their third match of the carnival the girls had a comprehensive win over the Giants keeping their opponents goalless for the match, Brennan was again named in the best.
This was a great opportunity for the girls to show case their ability in front of talent scouts with the Gold Coast Suns entering the AFLW in 2020. Brennan was amazed how the girls from all over the state united so quickly, “ despite not having ever played together as a team we gelled extremely well. We each worked out quickly where everyone’s strengths laid and used this to our advantage”. Playing in the forward line and through the middle, “I was also pretty stoked to get the first goal of our second game for our team” Brennan said. As the Women’s game to continues to grow rapidly across the nation Brennan said “Overall I am just so grateful to have had this opportunity and look forward to the next one.” Lynch, who played in the Ruck and up forward before settling in backline, said their were challenges for each of the girls,"It was challenging having to adjust from position to position but I enjoyed it." It was certainly an experience that the girls won't forget with memories that will last them a lifetime, Lynch recalled,"One of my favourites were the bus rides to the fields, everyone was dancing on there seats. Our beach walks were also another memorable moment, it was great to clear our head space and think about what our goals were for the next game." Like Uma, Katelyne was just greatful for the experience, " It was completely different to any club and school football we have competed in before. It was a completely new level of aggressiveness for us CQ girls."
The girls fantastic efforts during the series didn’t go unnoticed with Brennan and Oakley being named in the Under 18 Female QLD Squad.
Last Modified on 20/04/2018 07:28