The Northern Football League launched its Girls Football Development Program at Carlton’s Ikon Park on Wednesday.
Held in conjunction with AFL Victoria and the Carlton Football Club, more than 120 girls took part in the first session.
The program, which is being held for girls aged between eight and 18, will run each Wednesday during the 2016 school holidays.
The program has been created to help develop the skills of female footballers in the NFL and to help increase the number of registered footballers playing in the league’s junior girls competitions.
The NFL will run four junior girls football competitions in 2016, with the aim of expanding the girls program further next year.
Andrew Walker, Sam Docherty, Dennis Armfield, Levi Casboult, Dylan Buckley and Cameron Wood were among the Carlton players who assisted the girls through their drills during the first session of the development program.
Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser and playing assistant Kieran McGuinness were also on hand, as was Carlton’s new Visy Female Football Ambassador, Lauren Arnell.
NFL chief Peter McDougall, Carlton CEO Steven Trigg and AFL Victoria Community Football and Engagement Manager, Brett Connell all spoke at a launch prior to the session.
McDougall said the NFL was committed to growing girls football in the Northern region.
“Female football is the fastest growing sector of our game and the NFL is pleased to be leading the way in providing a pathway for girls to progress through junior football and eventually into senior football,” McDougall said.
“The number of girls playing in the NFL continues to grow each year and programs like this will help our girls continue to develop their football skills.”
Trigg said Carlton was pleased to support the NFL’s Girls Football Development Program as the club continues its push to secure a licence for a women’s team in the inaugural competition next season.
“If you think about the numbers through the Northern corridor, we’re delighted to have the great privilege to operate in that area now, in terms of next-generation academies and the development of women’s footy,” Trigg said.
“For us to be able to partner with the Northern Football League and the AFL Victoria and bring some extra value, profile and expertise is a fantastic thing for all parties.”
The next session of the development program will be held on Wednesday April 6 at Barling Park.
