Women’s AFL continues strong growth

Local clubs have seen a spike in women’s AFL participation this year.

The Baulkham Hills Hawks has experienced strong growth in its female competition since its inaugural season last year. Pictures: Justin Sanson

• Hawks girls season kicks off
• Hawks girls charge in

Local clubs have seen a spike in women’s AFL participation this year, partly in thanks to the publicity from the new national competition.

The Baulkham Hills Hawks Junior AFC ran its first women’s competition last year, entering an U15 team into the inaugural Western Sydney Juniors competition and an U18 team into the Sydney Harbour Youth Girls competition.

Proud Hawks players Kirilee Stanmore, 12, Scarlett Jackson, 10, Marley Kozak, 10, and Tahnee Sparks, 12.

This year the Hawks had to form extra teams to accommodate the influx of new players wanting to join.

Hawks’ secretary Kirsten Groll said the club’s girls competition had “definitely” grown over the year.

“Last year we had one U15 and we did a joint venture with Kellyville (Rouse Hill Magpies) for an U18 team; this year we’ve got a newly formed U12,” she said.

“Our U15 has remained with a few extra girls and we’re also going for our own U18 team.”

Groll said the growth could be attributed to a number of factors, including the new AFL Women’s competition, which kicked off on February 3.

“We have seen a lot of girls bringing friends across, and part of it is definitely the women’s competition,” she said.

This year’s U18 team will be coached by John Dimond, who also coaches the Western Magic Australian Football Club’s Ladies team.

“That gives us a really good relationship and a clear pathway for our girls to move from U18 into the ladies comp,” Groll said.

The Hawks are ready for a big 2017 season.

“From the moment they join as a nine-year-old, they’ve got a clear pathway all the way through.”

The Hawks will also build on their relationship with the GWS Giants women’s team, who will visit the girls for a meet and greet later this month.

Registration for the Hawks 2017 season are still open.

The Giants has invited all girls interested in playing Australian rules to attend their first Women’s Western Sydney game next weekend.

The game against the Fremantle Dockers begins at 12.05pm on Saturday, February 18, at Blacktown International Sports Park.

Girls are invited to a ‘come and try’ training session on the field in the morning and have a barbecue before watching the game together.

No prior experience in Australian rules is necessary.

To join, email [e-mail]