New role to boost female footy participation in West Daly

A female AFL liaison will be stationed in West Daly for the first time, helping foster the ‘shining talent’ of local girls.

The AFL will send a female liaison officer to Wadeye for the first time to help boost girls’ participation in the sport.

The AFL will send a female liaison officer to Wadeye for the first time to help boost girls’ participation in the sport.

Former professional Lauren Taylor (Sturt) was in Wadeye last week hosting AFL clinics for the local community, alongside Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon) and Jayden Fox (Carlton).

She said there was a noticeable difference in the girls’ confidence between the start and the end of the week, and expected that confidence to grow given the chance to engage with a full time liaison.

Former Sturt footy player Lauren Taylor (right) was in Wadeye to help run an AFL clinic. Picture: Supplied/John Ross.

“They start off shy, but once you build that relationship or that connection with them, they open up and they shine,” Ms Taylor said.

“One little girl here, Jaylen, she’s an absolute gun – she plays with the boys and absolutely smashes them.

“I think a lot of Wadeye’s talent misses out because they’re not in the NTFL … so this women’s officer will hopefully be the start of it.

“Trying to build that connection and let them know that they can get to places like Darwin, Adelaide or Melbourne – or anywhere they want to go.”

Lauren Taylor (Sturt) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon) sign for the fans in Wadeye. Picture: Supplied/John Ross.

Retired Essendon player Shane Radbone volunteers to help run the Wadeye footy clinics.

He said the goal was to rebuild the community’s defunct NTFL team, and establish a local women’s league.

“The community, they love their sport – AFL – both girls and boys,” he said.

“Ultimately, the aim is that the football is to morph into a women’s football competition here, over time, because the AFL has invested in a first ever liaison officer in the (Daly) area for women’s – which is huge.

“Secondly, the aim is to bring back Wadeye Magic in some way, shape or form.

“We’ve got to work through the mechanics of that, but the Wadeye Magic re-emerging in the next 12 months is the goal.”