Note: Players are listed alphabetically

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Come game day on Saturday 3^rd July, the ACT U18s team did not let themselves down, firing on all cylinders from the first bounce. Some quick centre clearances from a tidy ACT midfield combined with some straight shooting from the forwards saw the ACT in front for at the first break, ACT 7.1.43 to NSW 1.4.10.

Some impressive defence from NSW were able to shut down much of our run in the third term, keeping the ACT to just 2 goals for the quarter. This provided opportunity for our backline to display some very disciplined defence, with great desperation in the last line of defence by talented defenders, Genevieve Hooke (Eastlake U18 Youth Girls) and Jess Gilmore (Belconnen Magpies Women’s).

The final quarter saw 4 more goals by the ACT, with key forwards Georgia Hughes (Tuggeranong Hawks) and Amy Perry (Weston Creek JAFC) making her presence felt. The addition of players from our Women’s competition along with the improvement in the skill and experience in our youth girls players gave ACT the edge on the day, taking out the win and trophy, ACT U18s 13.5.83 to NSW U/18s 2.6.18.

The ACT team consistently executed all components of our game plan and it was very rewarding to see their hard work pay off. The game was of a very high standard and provided a great spectacle for all supporters. There were numerous excellent displays of both individual talent and solid team work from both teams. Stand out performers from NSW included Jessica Purcell, Renee Simmons, Emma Carberry and Loranna Child. ACT’s Casey Byrne and Kahli ‘Squirt’ Abbott, both from the Riverina Lions Women’s Team, proved great assets to the team, providing fantastic run through the centre and strong leading targets down forward. Abbott was named joint-winner of Best on Ground honours, with an impressive 7 goals to her name. Our other Best on Ground performer came in our fearless ACT captain and hard-ball winner, Heather Anderson (Belconnen Magpies, Women’s). Standout performances also came from Rebecca Mitchell (Tuggeranong Hawks), who dominated the ruck throughout the game and Sophie Bouffler (Eastlake), who was dangerous off the wing.

I would like to thank all of the U18 players for a memorable and highly rewarding journey; it has been a pleasure working with all of you. I am incredibly proud of your endeavour and the hard work you have given over the past 2 years – it has definitely paid off. I’d also like to thank Rebecca Goddard (U15s Youth Girls Rep Coach) who has been wonderful to work with; Jess Koeck, who was unfortunately unable to play due to injury but has been invaluable in her assistance in the lead up to and on the day as team runner; manager Mel Kershaw; Sports Trainer, Jane Haddock; and water runner, Pete Wren. Finally, on behalf of the ACT Youth Girls squad, parents and supporters, I would like to thank Tamarah Knox, competition manager (AFL Canberra) for her assiduous dedication and tireless efforts in making the Youth Girls Competition the quality product that it is.

Congratulations to those named in the initial NSW/ACT squad. I would like to wish the final squad all the best when travel to the National Youth Girls Championships in Melbourne in September.

The ACT is strongly represented with 23 players being named in the 40 player squad. These 23 players represent seven AFL Canberra clubs from both the Youth Girls and Women’s competition demonstrating the spread of talent across numerous clubs throughout the female football competitions. The AFL Canberra clubs represented include Ainslie, Belconnen Magpies, Eastlake, Gungahlin Jets, Riverina Lions, Tuggeranong Hawks and the Weston Creek Wildcats.

AFL Canberra Female Football Operations Manager, Tamarah Knox said "the inclusion of so many ACT players’ is great to see. Both ACT Youth Girls Representative teams put in good performances to win their matches at Saturday’s Interstate Challenge and this is represented in the Squad’s make-up."

"Both the Youth Girls and Women’s competitions have grown in participants this year and the standard of these competitions has also improved," Knox said.

In the Interstate Challenge, the ACT U15’s Team defeated NSW 6.8.44 to 3.4.22 in a close contest while the ACT U18’s team comprehensively defeated NSW, 13.5.83 to 2.6.18 with their straight goal-kicking and strong defence.

ACT U18’s Coach, Sarah McFarlane said she was please with the representation of players in the NSW/ACT Squad, "our girls put in a very good performance on the weekend and have been rewarded with selection in the squad."

"All their hard work and commitment will now need to continue over the coming month if they are to make the Nationals team," McFarlane said. The 40 player squad will be cut to a 30-player team in August.

The inaugural Youth Girls National Championships will take place from September 7 – 12 and will give players a wonderful opportunity to take on some of the best young female football talent in the country. Other states in the National Championships include Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.

ACT played two great games of footy walking away with both the U15's and U18's Interstate Challenge Titles

Match results are as follows:

U15's:

ACT 6.8.44 def. NSW 3.4.22

Best on Ground: Talarah Bell (C) (NSW)

Goal Kickers: ACT: Victoria King (2), Sophie O'Dea (2), Rachel Friend (1), Karina Koeck (1)

U18's:

ACT 13.5.83 def. NSW 2.6.18

Best on Ground: Heather Anderson (C) (ACT) & Kahli Abbott (ACT)

Goal kickers: ACT: Kahli Abbott (7), Lori Dunn (2), Heather Anderson (C) (1), Casey Byrne (1), Georgia Hughes (1), Madeleine Wood (1)

In the second annual ACT vs. NSW Youth Girls Interstate Challenge, the ACT U15’s defeated NSW in a close fought match, 6.8.44 to 3.4.22 to retain their Interstate Challenge title. The U18’s team displayed a dominating performance downing NSW 13.5.83 to 2.6.18 to win the senior Interstate Challenge for the first time.

The ACT U15’s team took to the ground with a team of little experience but a great amount of enthusiasm. ACT Coach, Rebecca Goddard said she "was proud of the performance the girls put in today."

"I wasn’t too sure what to expect from my girls as well as what NSW may throw at us."

"The girls put in a great team effort and got reward for all their hard work coming away with the win," Goddard said.NSW Captain Talarah Bell was named Best on Ground for the U15’s match.

The ACT U18’s team put in a strong performance from the first bounce of the match and worked well together to extend their lead each quarter to comprehensively come away with an 11-goal win.

"The girls put in a great effort all across the ground. Everyone did their bit for the team," ACT Coach Sarah McFarlane said.

"I do wonder sometimes if the girls are actually listening, they do a lot of talking, but they went out their today and put into action everything we had talked about."

"I was very pleased with their effort and intensity today. It was a solid, four quarter performance," McFarlane said.

The team was led well from the front with Captain Heather Anderson being named Best on Ground along with ACT teammate Kahli Abbott.

AFL Canberra Female Football Operations Manager, Tamarah Knox said, "today was a great showcase of female football talent."

"With both NSW and the ACT only establishing Youth Girls Competitions just two short years ago, both have come a long way with their competitions and in developing their talent," Knox said.

A squad of 40 players will be announced on Monday for NSW/ACT where players will then be selected in the NSW/ACT Youth Girls Team to compete in the inaugural AFL Youth Girls Nationals Championships to be held in Melbourne in September.

Last year the ACT U15’s team won their match, 7.2.44 defeating NSW 4.7.31 in a close and tough encounter. ACT U15’s Coach Rebecca Goddard is expecting another tough match this year and believes her team has what it takes to retain their Interstate Challenge title

"The girls have been training well with the U18’s team so this will help them come game day having trained with older more experienced and physical players" Goddard said.

"We have a good mix of experienced players who played in last year’s Challenge as well as some new players who have been performing well for the club in the AFL Canberra Youth Girls Competition this year. I think we have a good balance so I expect our team to perform well" said Goddard.

Meanwhile the ACT U18’s team will be out for revenge after going down to NSW last year in what was a very physical encounter. ACT U18’s Coach, Sarah McFarlane, who coached both ACT teams last year, says she and her team are better prepared for the physicality of NSW this year

"I think the physical toughness of NSW last year court us off guard a bit. The girls have had another season of footy under their belt since then and are better prepared for a tough game on Saturday. We have a couple of girls who actually play in the AFL Canberra Women’s Competition so they will be well prepared for a tough game" McFarlane said.

Both coaches are well experienced in representative football themselves with Goddard representing the ACT on five occasions as a player and five times as an umpire and McFarlane representing her home state of Queensland on 1 occasion.

McFarlane said "with our Youth Girls representative program in its second year our players are now realising that representative football is a step up from club football. The skills and attack on the ball have to be clean and tough and the girls have been working hard on this over the past month."

The Interstate Challenge will also be a selection opportunity for players from the ACT and NSW for the joint NSW/ACT Youth Girls Squad that will become the NSW/ACT Team for the inaugural AFL Youth Girls National Championships to be held in Melbourne come September.

Match schedule:

U15’s - ACT vs. NSW, 12.30pm at Reid Oval

U18’s – ACT vs. NSW, 2.00pm at Reid Oval

We are delighted to make available to every player who has played Representative Football for the ACT a key ring engraved with their name, year of debut and player number on it. For $25 we will have it made. Please contact Tamarah Knox for further information on 02 6228 0335 or Tamarah.Knox@aflact.com.au

History of ACT Youth Girls Rep Players

1. General
2. Entry into Interstate Challenge and Compliance with Regulations
3. Date of Interstate Challenge
4. Venue
5. Format
6. Competing Teams
7. Team Officials
8. Match Officials
9. Laws & Policy
10. Match Conditions
11. Awards
12. Reportable Offence & Reporting Procedure
13. Tribunal
14. Insurance

Download Interstate Challenge Match Arrangements & Regulations