Youth Girls Squad Named

Selectors have named a Queensland Youth Girls squad of 27 players and four emergencies for the seventh Youth Girls AFL National Championships to be held in Melbourne from May 2 to 6.

Queensland was Division 1 runner up to Victoria Metro in last year’s championships and will enter the 2016 carnival with high expectations.

Those picked include 2015 Western Bulldogs draftee Tahlia Randall and small forward Shaleise Law, who kicked four goals against NSW/ACT on debut with the Queensland Women’s team last year.

The squad boasts some serious sporting pedigree; including Shae Adams – niece of Brisbane Lions’ legend Jonathan Brown, Sophie Conway – sister of former Lions’ rookie Isaac Conway, and Lauren Bella, daughter of former NRL star Anthony Bella.

The final squad was chosen based on performances in two trial matches under the Gold Coast SUNS vs. Brisbane Lions banner, combine testing and commitment to the Queensland Youth Girls Academy summer program which has been running since November.

By region; Gold Coast is represented by eight players, followed by Sunshine Coast (six), Brisbane South (four), Darling Downs (three), Brisbane North (two), Capricornia (two), Cairns (one), and Mackay (one).

AFL Queensland High Performance Manager Craig Starcevich said there has never been a more exciting time to be a female football player.

“The depth of talent across our state has grown significantly over the past couple of years which has made selection for this team very competitive,” said Starcevich.

“Our State Academy has been established to not only prepare players for national carnivals, but to also develop high level club players, with a long term view to becoming AFL National Women’s League players.”

Following the National Championships the Academy will play a Gold Coast SUNS vs. Brisbane Lions game at Metricon Stadium as a curtain raiser to the AFL Round 11 Gold Coast SUNS v Sydney Swans match on June 4.

2016 Queensland Youth Girls Squad