Friendly howls and screams sound across the Fisherman Road Sporting Complex as the girls stampede then dive for the ball.
These females are fast, furious and would rather be playing footy than shopping - any day.
Enter the Sunfire Superstars, a brand new team of AFL-sports-stars-in-the-making on the Sunshine Coast.
The young aspiring athletes have been handpicked from schools across the region and they are already showing the boys a thing or two.
Coach Dayne Frew is responsible for bringing the popular sport to Coast girls, a game that requires skills, coordination and passion.
“Usually the girls train once a week and they are taking it up a notch every time.”
“This year has been about getting AFL started and people involved, but next year we hope to attract a lot more interest from girls of all ages.
“We aim to have plenty of teams competing and if the Superstars are anything to go by, we will have a pretty tough female competition on our hands.”
The evolution of female football has gone from strength to strength and the under 13’s heated up competition at the recent Twilight Challenge in North Brisbane, an event that attracts players all across South East Queensland.
“Any one of these girls could put some of the male players to shame, they are focused and very athletic, they are a force to be reckoned with,” Frew said.
The AFL Queensland initiative hopes to boost female participation levels in sport and judging by the girls, a muddy game of footy is far more exciting than playing with Barbie.
Sunfire player Aqua Meanie, 11, enjoys the challenge of AFL and thinks her team are, “just as good as the boys”.
“We love it because it’s fun and everyone is nice, we don’t mind breaking a nail.”
Pacific Paradise teammate Kirra Guy said, “she loves it”.
“The other girls are really good players and we cheer each other on.”
On sundown the Sunfire finish their training for another week.
They may have muddy knees but they have big smiles on their faces, ready for their next game.
Written by Layla Kirchhoff for The Sunshine Coast Daily Junior Sport Magazine
The following Sunshine Coast players have been selected to take part in the Quest Community Newspapers Youth Girls Football Academy: Emma Palethorpe, Grace Kaihau, Kiara Hodgson, Tessa Campbell, Aqua Meanie, Harmony Brown, Rachel Walsh, Rose Orman and Tahnee Chapman.
http://www.aflq.com.au/index.php?id=5&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=959&tx_ttnews[backPid]=4&cHash=166e44efc6
Last Modified on 17/10/2011 11:42