North Qld women win toss

WOMEN’S Australian Rules Football in north Queensland was recently kicked off with enthusiasm as 14 women from Townsville’s 10FSB and 3CSSB battled ferociously for four quarters in the opening match of the 3 Bde Women’s Australian Football Competition.

For most girls it was the first time they had ever touched a football.

With no civilian competition in the region the girls have been invited to keep their skills up by training with the 10FSB/3CSSB men’s Australian Football team under coach WO2 Doug Ward.

The men’s squad also provided all the coaching, umpiring and support staff required to hold the match.

NQ co-ordinator Lt Stacey Harvey said all the girls who played came off the field raving madly about how much fun they had, despite the fact they had never played before.

“Word should spread quickly and we hope to have a regular women’s competition in the north,” she said.

Women’s Australian Football is growing all over Australia and that’s also reflected in the ADF. Women can participate in two major football events: the ASAFA carnival run at the same time as the men’s inter-service competition and the civilian National Women’s AFL Championship. This is the third year Defence will be represented at the Nationals

Despite being thrown into the deep end, plenty of natural talent and aggression was evident. Best on ground went to newcomer Pte Brooke Wicks who owned the Tigers backline with her 40m kickouts and play-of-the-day run up three-quarters of the field. Runners-up were LCpl Amy King with her safe hands and big boot and Cpl Jo Skipper knocking them down in the ruck.

In the pioneer match the Bears took the lead early with some quick goals in the first quarter. The Tigers responded but couldn’t take back the lead for the duration of the match and the Bears won with a six-goal margin.

The crowd unanimously agreed it was an entertaining match with huge cheers in support of the big hits and astonishing goals.

But most importantly, a new group of women have been introduced to the passionate, all-consuming sport of Australian Football.