The 2016 Female Diversity Championships was not only a week of standout Queensland performances by our two teams, but also the individuals.
10 Queenslanders were selected across two national talent programs for 2017, following their performances during the week.
The Championships, held down in Shepparton, encompassed the National Under 14 Kickstart Championships, and for the first time, the National Under 14 All Nationals Cup, where over 200 participants from Indigenous and Multicultural backgrounds competed.
On the team front, it was our All Nations team who can proudly claim to be the first ever Cup holders, beating Victoria 5.3.33 to 3.4.22 in the Grand Final.
The Kickstart team also qualified for the Grand Final, but unfortunately fell short of Western Australia 1.5.11 to 2.5.17.
The accolades didn’t stop their though.
The 2017 Woomeras team, picked from the Kickstart competition will have five Queensland representatives, with Saraiyah Pilot, Rhiannon Blair, Shantel Ripia, Kitara Farra and Tiarna Awang all selected.
The 2017 World Team, picked from the All Nations Cup, will also have five Queensland representatives, with Ainsley Rintala-Apps, Monserrat Shimizu, Yvonne Bwisengo, Alice Savill, Zimmorlei Farquharson picked.
AFL Queensland Diversity Talent Coordinator, Eddie Sansbury, said the selection was a credit to the girls’ performances
“All 10 selected in the national talent programs are thoroughly deserving, and all had a fantastic week on and off the field,” Sansbury said.
“To have the two teams perform so well is a credit to the individual players, the coaches, and all the support staff that got them here.
“They have all done their state proud, that’s for sure, and they all played some fantastic footy.
“A huge thanks must also go out to the players’ parents and carers, because without them, none of this would be possible.”
A full summary and match reports for each day can be found HERE
