http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/womens-footy-kicks-off/1977516/
MACKAY'S women's team will finally get to play some serious footy this weekend.
After eight weeks of training the local squad of about 16 women decided to split down the middle for a friendly warm-up match at the weekend.
Director Vanessa Creeley said the game had been great fun and a good way to put their new skills to the test.
And don't underestimate these girls because they tackle each other just like the boys.
"They were loving it," Creeley said.
But she said women thinking about joining the team shouldn't be put off by the contact sport.
"We teach you how to tackle properly," she said.
"You don't know the skills you've got until you do it."
The team is now looking at playing the newly formed Moranbah women's team in the coming weeks and is eager to get more numbers for the side.
Creeley said at present they were focused more on building their skills and fitness but hoped to have three to four women's teams in Mackay in the coming years.
Born and bred in Western Australia, Creeley loves Aussie rules but understands that for many Mackay women it would be a foreign sport.
She said for some players, joining the team was the first time they'd ever held an AFL football.
Until now there had been no avenue for girls over the age of 15 to play AFL in Mackay.
Creeley said she wanted to give those women the opportunity to play.
The team trains at 6pm on Wednesday nights and 10.30am on Sunday at the Eastern Swans grounds.
For more information you can check out their Facebook page.
Last Modified on 09/08/2013 15:45