The competition, which runs from Tuesday June 7 to Saturday June 11, marks a coming of age for the state’s best female footballers getting to wear the state football jumper for the first time.
The Women's National Championships is now in its twelfth year, and will coincide with the AFL’s Women’s Week in Round 12.
North Hobart’s Sandy Eaton will be the state’s inaugural captain, with Sprayton’s Sommer Bissett named as vice-captain. All six clubs in the local league are represented, with 15 players coming from the North and 11 from the South.
Team coach, Trent Bartlett, who is a former Brisbane Lion, Western Bulldogs and state player, knows that the team’s participation in the championship will mean a lot to the players, and the sport.
“Being selected to represent your state is a great honour, be it in any field of sport, academic or the arts and one that should never be taken for granted,” said Bartlett.
“The opportunity that these players have earned, by being a pioneer woman footballer in our great state, holds even more significance this year as together they will always have the honour of being Tasmania’s first Women’s state football team.”
AFL Tasmania Women's Football League has seen significant growth in the past four years, starting as a two team, one game competition in 2007, to its present format consisting of six teams - Clarence, Hobart, Launceston, North Hobart, Spreyton, and Yeoman - from around the state.
Through individual club efforts and the support of AFL Tasmania, Women’s football in the state continues to strengthen each year.
AFL Tasmanian CEO, Scott Wade, said “Women have played, and continue to play, an important role in the fabric of footballs clubs around our state and now, through the AFL TASWAFL, young women are staring to enjoy our wonderful game as players.
"There are great growth opportunities in women’s football and we look forward to working with the Tasmanian Women’s Football League to promote and grow the game.”
Tasmania will contest division two at the championship.
Tasmanian’s Fixture is as follows:
DAY 1 – TUESDAY, JUNE 7th – CITY MAZDA STADIUM, RICHMOND
01:45pm – 03:25pm NT v TAS (Division 2)
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8th – UNLEASH SOLAR OVAL, WOODVILLE
12:30pm – 02:10pm NSW v TAS (Division 2)
DAY 4 – FRIDAY, JUNE 10th – ADELAIDE UNI 2
12:45pm – 02:25pm TAS V ACT (Division 2)
DAY 5 – SATURDAY, JUNE 11th – GRAND FINALS – GLIDEROL STADIUM, GLENELG
19:30am – 11:10am Division 2 GRAND FINAL – 1st place v 2nd place
Tasmanian Team:
Sandy Eaton, North Hobart - Captain
Sommer Bissett, Spreyton – Vice Captain
Maddison Smith, Clarence
Robyn Allchin, Clarence
Kate McCreadie, Clarence
Jessica Wuetschner, Clarence
Kristy Baker, Clarence
Katie Cole, Clarence
Cara Brooke, Hobart
Emma Oliver, Launceston
Krystal Chugg, Launceston
Letita Johnston, Launceston
Keren Scotney, North Hobart
Kieren Hutchinson, North Hobart
Nietta Lynch, North Hobart
Jessica Whelan, Spreyton
Bree Dickson, Spreyton
Chantelle Graham, Spreyton
Sarah Holland, Spreyton
Alissa Ritchie, Spreyton
Breelea Bakes, Spreyton
Stephanie Shaw, Spreyton
Nikki Ellis, Yeoman
Debra Allen, Yeoman
Rachael Moore, Yeoman
Allyssa Czylok, Yeoman
Coach - Trent Bartlett
Team Manager - Lindsay Brooke
Assistant coaches of state team
Ian Perry (former Devils assistant under Mathew Armstrong)
Luci-Anna Ottaway (current coach of North Hobart FC)
Chris Matthews (current coach Spreyton Football Club)
Rehab / Trainer - Brent Williams (former North Hobart Coach and state player)
Last Modified on 06/06/2011 17:27