Women's AFL National Championships
June 20, 2006
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The City of Canada Bay hosted the first two days of the Women’s AFL League National Carnival at Drummoyne Oval.
Mayor Angelo Tsirekas welcomed the championships and said that it’s a fantastic opportunity for the City of Canada Bay.
‘It’s great to see the Inner West attract a women’s sport at such an elite level,’ he said. ‘This is the 15th year the competition has been running and the participation levels are their best yet. It is great to see the championship continuing to grow and support developing women athletes.’
Ron Barassi, Member and Legend of the AFL Hall of Fame has been the Event’s Patron for the past five years. He played for Melbourne and Carlton over a career spanning 16 years from 1953-1969, playing a total of 254 games, kicking 330 goals and winning seven premierships. Since retiring as a player, Ron Barassi has coached over 500 games for Carlton, North Melbourne and Sydney.
Ron Barassi commented that the championship is an important pinnacle of competition for Women’s AFL.
‘This week you will see the elite women of AFL, who have come from their community suburbs and bush towns to showcase some spectacular football and tough competition,’ he said. ‘This competition is currently the peak of this sport for Women participants. I have no doubts that in years to come we will see a progression in AFL with women not only playing but coaching at an elite level as well’, he said.
The first Women’s Australian Rules Football League was established in Victoria in 1981. Women’s AFL now exists in ever Australia state and territory except Tasmania. Each year a National Carnival is held in one of the nation’s capital cities and from this tournament the National Women’s AFL Championships and All-Australian representative side is determined.
The championships are being held at Drummoyne Oval, Drummoyne and Henson Park, Marrickville from 18-24 June, 2006. A free AFL Clinic will be conducted for School Girls at Henson Park on Thursday, 22 June at 5pm. The Clinic will be run by former Sydney Swans players, AFL Development Officers and representatives from the Sydney Women’s AFL. A free BBQ and the local derby NSW v ACT match will follow under lights. The Grand Final will be played on Saturday, 24 June from 12pm at Henson Park.
