The 27-strong Victorian squad under the tutelage of Victoria's top coach Leeann Gill will meet the Maroons in a two match series at Cooparoo, Queensland.
AFL Victoria Female Football Development Manager Chyloe Kurdas and AFL Queensland's Julia Price were both keen to make it happen.
With the increasing number of adolescent girls playing Youth Girls football in both Victoria and Queensland, it was felt there was enough interest to put together this inaugural event," Kurdas said.
We need greater incentives to attract girls to the game and challenge those who are already in it."
Kurdas hoped the state challenge would become an annual event.
"Queensland has made a commitment to coming to Melbourne in 2008, whilst discussions are in place for WA to bring a representative schoolgirls team here as they don't yet have a community based Youth Girls program," she said.
"With SA and ACT setting up similar programs, it won't be long until these States and Territories join us in creating an annual National Youth Girls Under-18 Football Championships."
Kurdas said the game was rapidly growing in Queensland, thanks largely to an investment in female football development.
"They've made great ground in a short space of time. They have Under-12 and Under-16 Youth Girls programs, whilst their older Youth Girls (17 & 18) are playing senior football, which will make them physically very tough," she said.
Kurdas said it was exciting to put Victoria's best crop of young talent together for the first time.
"The brand of football that these girls all love to play is attacking and exciting," Kurdas said.
"They aren't scared of taking risks and they back their ability to run and carry the football, and deliver it with precision."
Kurdas said players were selected after trials from the Bendigo, South-East and West Youth Girls leagues. Names to watch out for include:
* Victorian Under-19 representatives - Mariah Marshall, Courtney Clarkson (Pearcedale Baxter), Chantelle Hawkins, Chloe Peers, Kristy Borg (Hallam), Kara Donnellan (Narre Warren), Brooke Surgeon (Sunbury)
* South-East Leading Goal kicker and Runner-Up Best and Fairest - Alicia Heins
* The youngest player is 14-year-old Sian Wilson.
Three of Victoria's most promising female field umpires have been selected to umpire the challenge and will tour with the playing squad. AFL Vic Umpiring Development Manager Neville Nash and female umpiring pioneer Kate Moore will mentor the girls. Female AFL Goal Umpires Chelsea Roffey and Katrina Morris will meet the umpires in Brisbane prior to each game.
Umpire Melissa Burns (age 14) Essendon DFL
Umpire Eliza Broadbent (age 19) Eastern FL
Umpire Emily Estcourt (age 15 Dandenong JFL
Kurdas said the Challenge was structured to maximise interaction between the girls from both states to help foster new friendships.
"The aim of this event, as with any other Youth Girls initiatives, is to help these young women become better people as well as better players," Kurdas said.
"The Victorian girls will also be automatically selected to be a part of a new Youth Girls football academy in 2008, which will give them access to extra training and personal development programs."
Victorian Under-18 Youth Girls Team
Alex Agrotis (Sunbury)
Sarah Baldwin (Eaglehawk)
Kristy Borg (Hallam)
Rhiannon Carra (Sunbury)
Sera Catania (Sunbury)
Emma Champion (Narre Warren) (Captain)
Nicole Cicciari (Narre South)
Courtney Clarkson (Pearcedale-Baxter)
Rachel Cormick (St Kilda)
Kara Donnellan (Narre Warren)
Chantelle Hawkins (Hallam) (Vice-Captain)
Alicia Heins (Hallam)
Mariah Marshall (Pearcedale-Baxter)
Rebecca Pearce (Pearcedale-Baxter)
Chloe Peers (Hallam)
Jennifer Plumb (Wyndham Vale)
Rachel Simmons (Marong)
Wendy Silviera (Mercy College)
Candace Smith (Sunbury)
Brooke Surgeon (Sunbury) (Deputy Vice-Captain)
Ashley Stafford (St Albans)
Romy Timmins (Pearcedale-Baxter)
Sian Wilson (Melbourne University u/15)
Mandi Watts (Sunbury)
Emergencies
Michelle Donnelly (Narre Warren South)
Katherine Sivewright (St Albans)
Kirsty White (North Bendigo)
Game 1 Saturday 22 September 2007 - 2pm
Coorparoo JAFC
Giffen Park
Game 2 Monday 24 September 2007 - 10am
Coorparoo JAFC
Giffen Park
Last Modified on 23/02/2009 12:46