Her 100th
ACTWAFL game passed without much fanfare, but to KD reaching this
milestone for the Women’s League, was one of the most memorable moments
in her life. At only 20 years old, KD is one of the few players in the
competition with over a decade worth of playing experience and 200+
games under her belt.
"It
was actually my one hundredth and first game, but who is counting,"
joked Karina Demant, Vice Captain of the Ainslie Women’s Football team
who celebrated the significant career highlight on Saturday 22 May
2010.
"It
definitely motivated me to play well and is a memory I will cherish for
many years to come. A huge thank you goes out to all my team mates, it
really was a fun day for me."
Karina
Demant, more fondly referred to as KD, is setting a benchmark for the
future of Women’s AFL in Canberra and indeed the wider women’s AFL
community.
"My
fascination with the game began at an early age, watching games on the
television with my dad every weekend. One day, my dad game home and
told me that I was able to join a team, I was over the moon! I have
never looked back."
When
KD was eight, she participated in the national Auskick program before
joining the Ainslie Kangaroos under nine’s boy’s team. She played in
the Junior Competition for the next six years, where she cracked her
first 100 game milestone and then joined the Women’s League. At the age
of 14, KD entered the Women’s League a six year veteran, the first long
term junior female player to do so.
For
KD and many others, playing in the mixed Junior Competition was the
only avenue for competitive football. (An annual interschool tournament
is also run at some schools across Canberra.) Girls were not allowed to
join the Women’s League until they were 14, and only with the consent
from their parents. In 2008 however, this all changed. With funding
received from NAB, a youth girls competition began in Canberra,
encouraging girls to play in specifically designed under 15’s and under
18’s teams. This competition is the thriving, currently with five
participating clubs, eight teams and a 15 round season.
"I
believe it is really important for the AFL to continue to develop these
younger players. There is definitely a demand for it and these players
really are the future of the sport," KD said.
The Youth Girls competition will act as a feeder to the Women’s League, ensuring talent development and growth of the sport.
"Every
year since I started playing, the competition has been getting better
and better, attracting more girls to the sport and growing in talent. I
doubt that the interest is going to stop any time soon and this means
great things for the sport." said KD.
"Obviously
Victoria set a bench mark for quality of players and quality of
competition and I reckon that in the ACT it is something we can achieve
in the very near future."
During
her career KD has achieved many accolades including Women’s League
Junior of the Year in 2005; Ainslie Football Club Best and Fairest in
2005 - 2007, Women’s League Leading Goal Kicker in 2009 and made ACT
Team of the Year in 2008 and 2009. KD has also been an active leader,
captaining at both the club and state level on several occasions.
"Being
part of a women’s football team has taught be a lot. I have played with
and against a diverse group of people and have always looked up them.
Not only have a learnt a lot about the game and how to improve, I have
been exposed to some pretty unique experiences and learnt a lot about
life."
KD
is setting a benchmark for the future of women’s AFL and is doing the
sport proud. Congratulation on making 100 (101) games KD!
By Samantha Engel
Photo by Melinda Kershaw
Last Modified on 08/06/2010 21:56