The Harman Tigers, a joint-venture this year between the Harman & Queanbeyan Australian Football Clubs, is struggling to attract sufficient female players to field a team in this year's competition and is in danger of folding.

The team was instrumental in the formation of a women's Australian football league in the ACT and team coach MAJ Peter Crabbe said the Harman Tigers have new strips for the women's team, good equipment & facilities and weekly and annual awards.

The significance of losing a female service team open to all ranks should not be underestimated, particularly with the probable introduction in 2001 of a National Services Women's Australian Football Carnival. Should the Harman Tigers fold, women from all services will lose a great opportunity to showcase their talents to national coaches, selectors and managers. There may also be an opportunity to be part of an ADF representative team at the National Women's Carnival.

"I believe the Harman Tigers offers the best environment for women to become involved in playing Australian Rules football and to participate with a club that has traditionally provided the most equitable arrangements for women", said stalwart of the women's competition Mark Pepper.

The club has set a deadline of March 31 to make a decision on maintaining the team, based primarily on the level of interest expressed. Women train at least once a week, at the moment on Thursday evenings at HMAS HARMAN commencing at 6pm and most games are played from 10:30am on Saturdays. Anyone interested in either playing or assisting in the management of the Harman Tigers should contact Peter Crabbe on 6265 9554 during business hours or 0412 489326.