Squads for the maiden Tasmanian State League Women’s six-week round-robin under-18 development series were unveiled on Monday.
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The squads for the six teams – Launceston, North Launceston, Burnie, Clarence, Glenorchy and Tigers – are predominately made up of players born between 2000 and 2002, making them eligible for the 2018 AFLW under-18 championships.
The series will be played in the lead up to the TSLW home-and-away fixtures and may result in participants being selected for their respective TSLW clubs and the state academy.
Players have been nominated and identified by AFL Tasmania staff and clubs and have until Wednesday, December 20, to confirm intentions to participate.
The series is reflective of what happens in Victoria, with AFL Tasmania football development manager-south Leigh Elder believing it was another big moment for women’s football in the state.
“This was a major step we had to take and has been about six months in design,’’ he said. “We learnt from the Victorians after they commenced a shorter version of the TAC Cup for girls, which has expanded to be a talent program for girls in their region, and that is exactly what we are doing.”
North Launceston president Thane Brady said his club is excited to be entering as it gears up to field a TSLW side in 2019.
“We would have liked to become involved in female football earlier, however, logistically with the redevelopment of Invermay Park impacting on training access the time wasn't right. We didn't want to offer a program we could not deliver,” he said.
“Statistics identify we have talented girl players in our development zone. The club has an obligation to create pathways similar to what we have with our traditional programs. We will take the next few months to confirm facility access with the Launceston City Council.
“It is our position our TSLW side should play as many home games as possible with our TSL sides, therefore, we need to seek permission from the LCC for access to UTAS Stadium.”