Youth Girls Academy Squad named

AFL Queensland today announced the Queensland Youth Girls Academy Squad for 2016.

The squad was chosen based on performances at the AFL Queensland  Under 14 Youth Girls Championships, the Female Kickstart Championships and the recent State Under 17 Youth Girls Championships.

AFL Queensland Female Football High Performance Coach Craig Starcevich said the aim of the Academy is to produce both high level club players and very competitive state representative teams.

“Both objectives are geared towards Queensland being well placed for the planned introduction of a national women’s league in 2017,” said Starcevich.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the depth of Queensland talent at Youth Girls level and we unearthed some gems at our first  Under 14’s carnival in September and the recent Under 17’s State Championships.”

The Academy consists of Level 1; for players who will be 16 or younger in 2016, and Level 2; for those turning 17 or 18.

The 2016 focus for Level 1 players will be preparing for the School Sport Australia National 15/16 Championships, while level 2 will work towards the National Youth Girls Championships to be held in Melbourne in May.

The squad has also been structured to suit the location of the players and how regularly Academy staff will have contact with them.

At a glance:

Level 1 players:  24

Level 2 players:  56

South East Qld based: 58

North Queensland & Northern NSW based: 22

Brisbane North: 11

Brisbane South: 11

Gold Coast: 13

Sunshine Coast: 11

Darling Downs: 12

North Queensland: 5

Northern Rivers: 4

Capricornia: 3

Wide Bay: 3

Mackay: 2

Townsville: 2

Woomeras: 3

SQUADS