In 2009, the Sydney Women’s Australian Football League signed a sister league relationship with Alberta Footy Women’s League and their primary partner the Calgary Kookaburras. The Canadians want to take the relationship to a new level in 2010, with the Calgary Kookaburras prepared to host a SWAFL or ACTWAFL player who has extensive footy experience for a 9-month footy season, helping with their footy development and seeing Canada and the USA.
Our very own Magpie, Alice Broughton has been successful in being chosen to travel to Canada and play with the Calgary Kookaburras in the women’s league which at this stage is a 9-a-side competition. Alice will also be playing and assistant Coach of the Team Canada when they travel to nationals in USA in August.
The Calgary Kookaburras are the reigning Canadian National Champions and US National Champions in Australian Rules Football. The fastest growing club on the North American continent, they have 72 registered players and compete in a five-team local 9-a-side competition, with trips across Canada and the USA to play other cities each Northern summer. Not bad for a club that only started less than three years ago.
The Calgary Kookaburras will help arrange accommodation and employment matching Alice’s current skills and occupation. A key aspect of her role with the club Alice will to provide leadership in club matches and at training to help the Canadian girls increase their skills and appreciation of the sport.
Alice was unsure if there would be much interest from within ACT/NSW but had plans to travel overseas in 2010 so was too good an opportunity to pass up. “Being able to go overseas and do what I love doing plus seeing the world will be an amazing experience.” Alice’s family and friends have already planned to travel overseas during her season and support her in her quest. Alice is hopeful that Canberra might be able to return the hospitality in years to come. “We might be able to have one of the Canadian girls come and play for Belconnen in the Women’s League.” Alice is looking forward to taking on the challenge of being assistant Coach of Team Canada. “It would be good to have a team to play in Team Canada when players make the All Australian team in years to come.”
In preparation for this exciting opportunity Alice will commence preseason training with the Belconnen women’s team along with her own training. Alice has also organised to participate in some fitness/running sessions with the CD2 team in the build up to her departure in early March which runs into the Canadian preseason training.
Belconnen wish Alice all the best for this exciting opportunity and we look forward to tracking her progress in 2010.
Last Modified on 13/04/2010 11:46