The AFL today announced a female talent search campaign to be held throughout Australia in early 2016.

The campaign will give female athletes who aren’t currently involved in the game the chance to test their football fitness and skills.

Victoria University Whitten Oval will play host to the Melbourne session, on 23 January 2016.

AFL General Manager Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean said the sessions will target athletes who are not currently registered as Australian football players.

“We want Australian football to be the sport of choice for female athletes and we know there are many talented footballers who have backgrounds in other sports,” Lethlean said.

“We want to engage with these players and give them the chance to enhance their football skills while expanding our talent pool as we look towards the national women’s competition in 2017.”

Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce will lead the nation-wide testing sessions with state female academy coaches, with the sessions designed to draw athletes from other sports.

Western Bulldogs player Brianna Davey is one successful example, with the soccer convert seamlessly transitioning into Australian football in May, after her omission from the Matildas squad earlier this year.

Athletes identified during the campaign will be offered places in female state academies and places in state league clubs.

Athletes will experience familiar Draft Combine testing; standing and running vertical jumps, agility, 20m sprint and the shuttle run.

Participants will also get an opportunity to demonstrate skills including kicking, marking and handballing as well as their decision making, spatial awareness and appetite to compete.

 

Female Talent Search dates:

Melbourne

9am-2:30pm

Saturday 23 January

VU Whitten Oval

Perth

8am-1:30pm

Saturday 30 January

Trinity Grammar

Brisbane

9am-2:30pm

Sunday 7 February

Anglican Church Grammar

Adelaide

9am-2:30pm

Sunday 14 February

Prince Alfred Grammar

Sydney

9am-2:30pm

Sunday 21 February

St Ignatius College

Hobart

9am-2:30pm

Sunday 28 February

Newtown High School