The AFL’s Women’s Round celebration this weekend will be extra special for six Queensland female football stars.
From today, Katie Brennan, Jo Butland, Emma Zielke, Emily Bates, Tayla Harris and Megan Hunt are attending the second AFL Women’s High Performance Academy culminating this weekend during women’s round.
An invitation to the Academy is currently the highest accolade available to the nation’s talented female footballers.
Academy members must have been selected in the All-Australian team after the 2011 Women’s National Championships or have been judged as one of the top ten players from the Under 18 Youth Girls National Championships this year by All-Australian selectors.
The 2012 academy program will see players enhance their football skills through development session run by AFL High Performance coaches, former AFL stars and the country’s best female football coaches.
Players will also be exposed to a number of personal development workshops including mentoring and Female Football Pathways.
In addition to the normal sessions, two teams of academy players will battle it out in a televised game on Saturday 21st July at Visy Park with highlights from the match to be played at the Collingwood vs. Hawthorn game at the MCG later that day.
The 2012 academy program also features a number of additional streams including umpiring, coaching, Strength and Conditioning and media commentating to allow key females in football to further develop their skills.
The expansion of the academy is an exciting development in female football as it continues to grow across the country.
AFL Queensland Female Football Manager, Julia Price, said that this achievement was something that the Queensland players should be proud of and that other players should strive for.
“It’s an unreal opportunity for the girls to improve their football skills as they will have access to the best coaching and mentoring they can possibly get,” Price said.
“I know that they will relish in all the activities thrown their way and bring their new knowledge and skills back to their local clubs and leagues as well.”
The AFL Women’s High Performance Academy runs from July 16-22 in Melbourne.
AFL Queensland High Performance Academy Participants:
Katie Brennan – Yeronga/South Brisbane
Jo Butland – North Cairns
Emma Zielke – Morningside (2011 All-Australian 1st Reserve)
Emily Bates – Yeronga U18s
Tayla Harris – Zillmere U18s
Megan Hunt – Boyne Island Tannum Sands AFC
