On a freezing Friday night, ten teams of 12 year old girls from around South-East Queensland, played in the first Sunfire Superstars 9-a-side Carnival.
The Sunfire Superstars is to identify future Sunfire (Qld Women) players and get the girls used to playing rules in the current Under 15 Youth Girls Club competitions played around the state.
120 girls played in the freezing conditions and showed off their skills in front of ten of the Sunfire players. Bernie “Gabba” Vegas also made an appearance in the wet and cold conditions after much encouragement from the girls.
All players on the night received a Sunfire Superstar certificate as well as an “I’m a Sunfire Superstar” T-shirt. Sunfire players were on hand to autograph t-shirts and certificates at the conclusion of the evening.
From this carnival AFL Qld will also be running for the first time the Quest Community Newspapers Sunfire Academy underpinning the current Quest Community Newspapers Female Football Academy. From the success of the Female Football Academy and its links with the Lions & SUNS Academies, the Sunfire Academy is to assist Primary school-aged girls to improve their skills further, meet new friends and possibly prepare them for representative football further down the track.
Girls picked in the Sunfire Academy will have two training sessions prior to Christmas and six leading into the club season in 2012.
In 2012, AFL Gold Coast Juniors & AFL Sunshine Coast Juniors are both hoping to join AFL Brisbane Juniors with an Under 15 Youth Girls club competition to allow girls to continue their football after 14 when they can no longer play with the boys.
Congratulations to the following girls for their selection in the Sunfire Academy. You will all receive correspondence soon relating to your inclusion in the Academy.
Gold Coast Blue
Georgia Ward, Maddison Hutchen, Ellie Burnitt, Jade Ray, Lisa Barnes
Gold Coast Yellow
Amber Pilliy, Kalinda Howart, Ruby Blair, Tayla Pilliy, Sapphire Ray
Sunshine Coast White
Emma Palethorpe, Kirra Hodgson, Grace Kaihau, Tessa Campbell
Sunshine Coast Teal
Rachel Walsh, Rose Orman, Tahnee Chapman, Aqua Meanie, Harmony Brown
Brisbane North Gold
Audrey Nepson, Anneliese Piczak, Tyhesia Pyne, Kiana Riley
Brisbane North Maroon
Ebony Moehau, Hannah-lee Letatau, Madeline Rogers, Karly-Rose Macey, Maddie Poddlich
Brisbane West Blue
Lucy Yango, Gabby Collingwood, Kelly Nguy, Jess Marriott, Joyce Jerry
Brisbane West Gold
Elizabeth Rennie-Sia, Megan McDonnell, Anita Koning, Maria Rangi
Brisbane SE Purple
Mary Ross, Haylea McKay, Sarah Crew, Jessy Bruce
Brisbane SE Green
Gabriella Abi-Fares, Meg Muir, Charlotte Luna, Ashlee Hurley
