Page 63 - Tropic Magazine Issue 28

TROPIC • SPORT

Eye of the tigress

WOMEN’S AFL
The dominant North Cairns
Tigers side is gearing up for its
18th season in the Cairns AFL
women’s competition.

With the introduction of the elite level “I think part of our success can be put
AFLW, the popularity of female footy down to the club having a fun and
has soared across Australia over the inclusive atmosphere – a real family
past few years, and pioneering club the environment,” she said.
North Cairns Tigers has been a major “It is competitive and combines skills
contributor to the sport’s success. from a variety of sports for women of all
North Cairns Tigers is home to the most body types.”
successful women’s teams and players in The women’s AFL follows the same
Cairns, with 11 premierships in the bag. schedule as the men’s competition,
High-profile players who served their allowing each to cheer for the other pre 2
apprenticeships at the club include Joe and post-match.
Butland, who went on to Captain the North Cairns Tigers will face five New pride
Australian team, Brisbane Lions players competing local teams this season: Cairns
Selina Goodman and Breanna Koenen, Saints, Manunda Hawks, Centrals Trinity WOMEN’S LEAGUE
the Gold Coast Suns’ Kitara Whap-Farrar Beach Bulldogs, Cairns City Lions and
and the Western Bulldogs’ Elisha King. South Cairns Cutters. The Northern Pride has
North Cairns Football Manager, Tarin entered its first women’s team
Moke, said registrations for new and 1. Jo Butland in action for the North Cairns Tigers into the Queensland Rugby
transferring players are now open. 2. Northern Pride hosts development training for League competition.
under 19 women

Over 20 players have so far been
drafted to the Northern Pride’s
inaugural under 19 women’s squad,
which will play its first game against
the Townsville Blackhawks in March.
U19 women’s fixtures are new to the
competition schedule this year and
follow a successful launching of the
QRL Women’s Premiership in 2020.
Northern Pride Development &
Pathways Manager Dave Scott said the
squad remains open to new talent.
“There is no set cut-off date for
recruitment into the under 19s team,
as the Northern Pride looks to get as
many participants as possible,” he said.
“We are not planning on turning our
backs to anyone.”
The women’s competition is
set to follow the men’s, with
all games coinciding with
the boys U16 and
U18 fixtures.
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63 • tropicnow.com.au