The next time someone goes to sledge your football team by referring to them as a ‘pack of girls’ take it as a compliment.
When it comes to passion and playing with heart, these girls could teach the pros a thing or two.
This year has seen a massive rise in the number of girls playing in the Carol Berry Cup, an AFL primary schools comp and that interest has given birth to the first girls only NAB AFL Auskick programs.
More than 30 girls turned out to the first Coast clinic, which sent pink Sherrins flying across the paddock at the Maroochydore Multi Sports complex on Fishermans Road.
Some of these girls had seen their brothers and dads run around for years and decided to take part, others had run circles around their brothers and dads for years and wanted to brush up on their skills.
Maddy Briggs, “has played technically for one year but been involved for three years” said she plays a lot of sports but AFL holds a special place in her heart. ”It is a good game to play and you develop really good skills,” the thoughtfully spoken 12 year old said.
“You learn to multi task because you have to do so much at once.”
Maddy, who if she had to pick a club for barrack for the Essendon Bombers because ‘that is dad’s club’ would love to see a female professional league spring up.
Given the enthusiasm of the youngsters out yesterday that may become a possibility but first, AFL Queensland would love to see a girl’s comp get a leg up.
The idea would see the graduates from the Carol Berry primary schools comp step into a round robin style comp.
But first these girls need to worry about keeping their snazzy pink footballs away from their brothers.
Article written by Amy Remeikis at the Sunshine Coast Daily
Last Modified on 17/08/2009 11:47