ACADEMY GIRLS MIX IT WITH THE BOYS

9 of the 18 girls selected in the Female Football Academy attended the recent AFL Lions Academy camp where they went through fitness testing, kicking skills, game sense drills and a nutrition session.   The girls competed well against the boys and it was great to see the boys encouraging the girls in all their activities.  Not only was this a learning curve for the girls but it also fell in line for the boys with the AFL Respect & Responsibility Policy which focuses on shifting attitudes and ensuring that people throughout the Australian Football industry are aware, and have structures in place, that recognise that violence against women and behaviour that harms or degrades women is never acceptable.

During the day the girls got to meet and speak with Lions players Daniel Merrett, Jamie Charman and Jarrod Brennan.  AFL Lions Academy Coach Luke Curran was very impressed with the confidence the girls had in the group, not being afraid to ask questions and really taking on board all advice given by expert coaches such as the Lions players and Andrew Cadzow, AFL Oceania Manager.

The 2009 Female Football Academy is really focusing on youth talent that is coming through the system.  Girls between the ages of 15-21 have been selected from School Programs, Club Football or representative teams to further their training and to help the girls get that one-on-one help they may need to ensure their development continues and potentially to assist them to go on and compete for their region or state.

2009 Female Football Academy Players

Brittany Downs             Northern Mystery

Emily Wastle                 Western Magpies

Madi Crowley-Long     Northern Mystery

Ashleigh Hales              Zillmere Eagles

Natalie Barnett             Southern Storm

Rhiannon Brookes        Southern Storm

Sharman Hurley            Southern Storm

Alicia Johnson               Southern Storm

Teneal Lyons                Southern Storm

Rachael Anstey             Zillmere Eagles

Jess Croft                     Northern Mystery

Amanda Whitehead      Western Magpies

Tiffany Harman             Zillmere Eagles

Teegan Stevenson         Zillmere Eagles

Mikaela Leadbetter       Northern Mystery

Taylor Prime                 Northern Mystery