THE state’s most promising female football talent will run around for North Melbourne next month – an opportunity Launceston’s Daria Bannister is overjoyed about.
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Ten Tasmanian footballers will pull on a Roos jumper at Arden Street on February 26, when a combined state and VFL Melbourne University Women’s Football Club take to the field in a pre-season fixture.
The lucky stars will be selected from AFL Tasmania and North Melbourne talent search days in mid-February with athletes from all sports encouraged to register.
Bannister, 17, traded netball for football not long ago and is one of many girls and women choosing to switch to the oval ball game.
The Brooks High and Launceston College student has since been inducted into the inaugural AFL Youth Girls National Academy and played in the AFL All-stars game in September.
“I was told about the Launceston women’s football team through a friend and decided to go along for a look, I loved it and it all just took off from there,” Bannister said on Wednesday.
“My netball team were really supportive of me and I was able to play both sports for a season.
“This year I have decided to focus on football in the hope of getting drafted in the future. I love playing AFL. After only a year of experience I cannot wait to learn more about the game and see how far I can push myself.
“I love the physicality of it all and how quickly a game can turn.”
Bannister said she hopes to be selected for the North Melbourne encounter.
“This upcoming game is a great opportunity for me and anybody else who dreams of being drafted, to showcase our skills,” she said.
“I have grown up watching the men play on TV and cheering them on and thinking that one day that could be me is a great motivation."
AFL Tasmania’s Leigh Elder said 20 per cent of the total AFL women’s draftees for this year’s maiden season were new to the game and that budding footballers born in 1999 or earlier are invited to register (www.nmfc.com.au) and participate.
“Women’s football is exploding and there are so many opportunities for athletes,” Elder said.
The talent search and trials will be held in Hobart on February 11 and in Launceston on February 12 at venues to be confirmed. Successful Tasmanian participants will be provided flights, accommodation and apparel for the trip to Melbourne.