Emerging female Tasmanian footballers closer to representing state at elite level

THE chance to wear a jumper with the Tasmanian logo emblazoned across the front in a national competition would be a dream come true for the state’s aspiring female footballers.

THE chance to wear a jumper with the Tasmanian logo emblazoned across the front in a national competition would be a dream come true for the state’s aspiring female footballers.

North Melbourne’s partnership with the Tasmanian Government, which will see Tasmania represented in the AFLW from 2019, is set to unlock endless opportunities for the next generation.

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Two of the next crop — Nicole Bresnehan and Loveth Ochayi — are now a step closer to their ambitions of not only playing at the highest level, but doing so for their home state.

It is a situation Ochayi thought would never materialise.

“It is really exciting. Nicole and I had the opportunity to play with North at the start of the year and now for it to be official in the AFL women’s is just really amazing,” she said.

“This year we have seen a massive growth in the sport, so many girls are now playing and with the North next generation [academies] up and running lots of girls are being introduced to the sport and falling in love with it.

“Now it is going to grow even more.”

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Aspiring Tasmanian AFL players Nicole Bresnehan and Loveth Ochayi are excited about the AFL women’s team partnership between North Melbourne and Tasmania. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Four Tasmanian players were selected in the inaugural AFLW draft last year, with hopes many more will be considered for the 2018 season.

And with the Roos-Tasmanian model to have training bases in both Melbourne and Tasmania, locals would not have to move interstate to further their careers.

“Nicole and I are both at University so having a base in Tasmania will really be helpful with our studies as well, we won’t be too far away from home but we can still achieve our dreams,” Ochayi said.

AFL Tasmania community engagement and partnerships agreement manager Trish Squires said the landmark deal could be the starting point for a boom in female participation.

“I think for Tasmania, this is absolutely the best opportunity for us and we were able to take that,” she said.