July 2nd, 2022, will mark an important milestone in the evolution of women’s football across Queensland with the playing of the first ever North Queensland vs. South Queensland women’s Intrastate Rep Clash.
With women’s footy gaining year on year momentum, and six established women’s competitions in regional Queensland and six in Southeast Queensland, Community Football Manager Queensland, Barry Gibson, said it was a milestone AFL Queensland had been building towards.
“Hosting an NQ vs. SQ women’s intrastate rep program has been on the radar now for a number of years, and this year the timing is right with strong competitions across Queensland,” he said.
“We are writing the history books and it’s fantastic we can prioritise the funding support to make this happen as part of its commitment to women’s football.”
Like the men’s clash, the NQ side will be comprised from players from the AFL Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Capricornia competitions, while players from Darling Downs, Wide Bay and the QFAW competitions in SEQ will form the SQ side.
Gibson said strengthening the female football talent pool and growing participation remained key strategic priorities for the game heading into season 2022.
“The NQ vs. SQ Intrastate Rep Clash is a fantastic way to showcase some of the emerging talent that exists across the regional competitions and our QFAW competitions, and is another pathway for women in Queensland to aspire to play in the elite game,” he said.
“We know regional Queensland is a genuine breeding ground for talent with the likes of Bre Koenen (Magnetic Island Magpies – Townsville), Jacqui Dupuy (Cairns Saints – Cairns) and Lauren Bella (Bakers Creek Tigers – Mackay) just a few of the names now playing at the highest level – the AFLW.”
Gold Coast SUNS AFLW player Daisy D’Arcy, who hails from Townsville, agreed the Clash was an important opportunity for regional players to get exposure.
“There’s so much talent up north, it’s a great opportunity for the girls to get amongst it and see what the level is like in South Queensland, and importantly, get seen,” she said.
Emily Davis, who plays for Gold Coast’s Burleigh Bombers in the QFAW Division 1 competition, said she’ll be attempting to get a spot in the SQ side.
“I think the girls will try that little bit harder this season knowing there is that game to work towards and I think it will really help establish the division 1 competition here in Southeast Queensland and bring a lot more talent to the season,” said Davis.
AFL Queensland today revealed the location for the 2022 NQ vs. SQ Intrastate Rep Clashes to be played at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport in July.
In an action-packed day at Sharks HQ, the day is designed to put women’s footy on show and will run as follows; QAFLW Reserves, QAFLW Seniors, NQ vs. SQ Intrastate Women’s Rep Clash, with the NQ vs. SQ Intrastate Men’s Rep Clash played at twilight.
It’s the 8th instalment of the Intrastate Rep Program, which was re-introduced in 2014, and is the first time the Clash will be played on the Gold Coast.
Pictured: Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap, Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap, Trisha Squires (Head of AFL Queensland), Emily Davis, Daisy D’Arcy.
Picture by Highflyer Images
