Melbourne Boomers young gun Monique Conti remains on radar of AFL Women’s clubs

RISING basketball star Monique Conti will get a chance to test her skills with the oval ball after being named in Calder Cannons’ Youth Girls Academy.

Monique Conti is one of Australian basketball’s brightest prospects but also a talented footballer. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano.

RISING basketball star Monique Conti will get a chance to test her skills with the oval ball after being named in Calder Cannons’ Youth Girls Academy.

Conti was a member of the Australian Sapphires team which won gold at the Under-17 World Championships in June, impressing in her role as a guard.

She was named in the tournament’s all-star five and subsequently signed for the WNBL club Melbourne Boomers despite only being 16.

Her basketball commitments meant she only played one football match for Melbourne Uni in the WRFL and EDFL girls under-18 competition this year, but she remains on the radar of AFL Women’s clubs.

“She is a standout and she actually plays WNBL as well,” Calder’s youth girls manager Pauline Leslie said.

“She’s a good chance of being drafted if she stays with her footy.

“We have got to try and keep her in.”

Conti first played football with Essendon Doutta Stars at under-12 level before switching to Melbourne Uni in 2015.

Leslie said Conti’s sporting talent extended beyond the basketball court.

“That’s come from (coach Alicia Eva),” she said.

Several dual sportswomen were snapped up in the AFL Women’s Draft, including Victorian cricketers Kirsty Lamb and Jess Cameron.

The Cannons’ academy started training on October 17 at Essendon Football Club and consists of about 80 players.

It is headed up by Collingwood’s Alicia Eva, who became a Magpie after being selected with pick No. 54 in the draft.

The club’s under-15 academy, which will be launched in December, will be coached by Western Bulldog Lauren Morecroft.

The Cannons are also holding an AFL Women’s Talent Search on Wednesday, November 30 from 6pm at Highgate Reserve.

AFL Women’s aspirants born between 1998 and 2002 who have not previously played football are invited to attend.

To register, email [e-mail] or contact Pauline on 0405 105 175.