East Coast Eagles gear up for inaugural women’s AFL competition
THE inaugural women’s AFL competition is gathering momentum in the Hills with the area’s biggest club, East Coast Eagles fielding teams in the Division One.
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THE inaugural women’s AFL competition is gathering momentum in the Hills with the area’s biggest club, East Coast Eagles fielding teams in the Division One.
The Eagles, the defending Premier Division champions in the men’s league, are confident they can translate their super record to the women’s competition, with new recruits coming from other sports including football and basketball.
David Arndt, the women's football and junior development director for the Eagles, said it’s been a positive start for the latest team.
“We began promoting our women’s team on Facebook and then it was word of mouth which saw more than 20 players register for the squad,” said Arndt, whose daughter Chloe, trains with the GWS Giants women’s team too.
“We are very happy to have the woman on board.
“There are 13 teams in the Women’s Division One and if we go well in the first season, we could be promoted to the Premier Division. which is our goal.
“Many of our females haven’t played AFL before but are showing impressive skills at training.
“The girls are aged between 18 to 32 and we are focusing on skills development.
“Another thing we have done this year is working closer with our junior AFL clubs in the Hills and putting them in to Eagles colours so they can play in the senior team, as well.”
Arndt said the women players have been quickly accepted by the club and train together at the club’s home ground, Kanebridge Oval, Kellyville, which they share with the North West Sydney Hurricanes cricket club.
The women’s team is coached by Eagles’ men’s star Jackson Cosgrove.
The season is scheduled to begin in April.
Club details: david@eastcoasteagles.com. (?)
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