President Chris Ryan said: “Prospect Hawks football club is committed to continuing our expansion in female football and after making some massive strides in 2016, where we moved to 70 registered players, we are planning to exceed this.

“In 2017 we will provide programs for players in AFL Auskick, junior and youth teams and now a senior team.”

Prospect’s inaugural senior women’s coach is AFL Level 2 accredited Chris West who has been instrumental in developing many male players over 10 years including the Kolodjashnij brothers and Launceston FC best and fairest winner Jake Smith.

The Hawks welcome any women who are interested in having a game of football and believe the new regional competition will be focussed on developing players’ skills and game sense and having fun playing against other regional level teams.

Ryan added: “There is now a genuine talent pathway for female footballers following the first national competition draft and we are looking forward to the new AFL women’s league commencing in the new year.

“If we unearth any talented players we will assist them to be identified and join the talent pathway that will be offered by the new Tasmanian Women’s League and other state and national programs.”

“It is a great time for girls of all ages to be considering playing AFL and they can start at the grass roots level here at Prospect.”