The following article from Kavisha Di Pietro on the AFL Players website www.aflplayers.com.au explores the journey of another young Sudanese footballer making his way onto an AFL list and hoping to emulate the deeds of Aliir Aliir and Majak Daw. 

Western Bulldogs draftee Buku Khamis’ memories of his childhood in South Sudan are hazy. 

He can recall how the sand would burn his feet as he played outside in the heat but he doesn’t remember much more from back home. 

The 18-year-old was only six when he migrated to Australia with his parents and siblings. 

His journey across the globe would be his first time on a plane. 

“I don’t remember too much from living there but I do remember coming on the plane to Australia not knowing where we were going or what was going on,” he told AFLPlayers.com.au during his first AFL pre-season.

 “When we landed at the airport it was dark so I couldn’t get a view of Melbourne. I kind of freaked out because it was all new to me.”

Khamis faced challenges as his family settled into life in Australia. 

The language barrier made assimilating difficult but once he learnt English things changed and Khamis felt he adapted well to Australian culture. 

The Western Jets product didn’t start playing football until he was 12, joining his local club St Albans after attending a Western Bulldogs game as part of a school excursion. 

“Playing football really helped me open up to other people and make friends,” he said. 

“It gave me something that I enjoyed which helped me to express myself more. Football made me feel involved and like I was a part of something.” 

After joining St Albans in under-12s, Khamis’ athleticism attracted the attention of TAC Cup recruiters and he was invited to participate in Western Jets development squad. 

He then joined the Western Jets program, playing in the National Championships at both under-16 and under-18 level, earning All-Australian selection in his top-age year.

His link to the Western Bulldogs has existed long before being drafted. 

Khamis was part of the Bulldogs Next Generation Academy (NGA) the club’s affiliation with the Western Jets and was also part of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Ready Settle Go program, which supports newly arrived migrants in Melbourne’s western suburbs. 

Despite his involvement with the Bulldogs and growing up as an Essendon supporter, Khamis’ football heroes are those from multicultural backgrounds with the defender admiring North Melbourne’s Majak Daw and the West Coast Eagles’ Nic Naitanui. 

“When I started playing the game they inspired me because they were different. I can relate especially to Majak because our backgrounds are the same.” 

When his status as a Bulldogs player was confirmed, Daw reached out to Khamis sending him a congratulatory text message and letting him know the young player would have his full support as he navigated the AFL system. 

“He’s been through it all and knows what I am about to go through. I just can’t wait to see how everything pans out.” 

Although he spent time training with the Bulldogs during the 2017 pre-season as part of the NGA program, becoming an AFL player was beyond his wildest dreams. 

From a South Sudan refugee camp to pulling on the Western Bulldogs jumper, the journey has been long and arduous, but it’s one he can’t wait to see unfold. 

“When I started in under-12s I was just playing because it was fun but I never thought it could actually happen. It’s pretty crazy.” 

To read the original article and others on the AFL Players website, go to: http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/khamis-football-made-me-feel-involved/

  ...

In this extraordinary story from Lucy Murray at ABC North West Queensland, the team from Lake Nash in the Northern Territory, their trials to simply get to a footy match are explored. If you like, it ould be called extreme car-pooling to get to a match each week. It is an amazing snapshot into what it takes to play footy in one of the most remote parts of Australia. 

The Lake Nash Young Guns footy team struggles for money to travel the 600km to their games, and if they do not get a kangaroo on the way to the game, they most likely play on empty stomachs. 

Alpurrurulam, or Lake Nash, as it is commonly known, is an Indigenous community on the Queensland–Northern Territory border. 

In the centre of town is a red dirt Australian Rules Football Oval, where the Lake Nash Young Guns can be seen training every evening. 

As they run, often barefoot, or in socks, they leave a trail of red dust behind them.

 "When they grew up as children, they always had a ball in their hand and it has just never stopped," club president Renee Larkins said.

"It is not just a game to these fellas, that's their life, it's love, they are very committed, and it is a different love for the sports that they have."

This love of football has also helped keep the players out of trouble.

"When they are there on the field and when they are at training, they are not drinking, breaking-in or running amok, they are doing something that they love," Ms Larkins said. 

"The sniffing has stopped heaps, there's not a lot of sniffing anymore, there's no breaking in anymore, the fellas are doing really, really well." 

Every weekend the team travels a 600-kilometre round trip on a rough dirt road to Mount Isa in North West Queensland for the game. 

Since their bus broke down two years ago the team has had to take their own cars to town. 

"It is very hard on the cars, sometimes we have to take little cars in, like Commodores and stuff, and you have to drive so slow because the roads are that messed up," Ms Larkins said. 

"Sometimes there is no room in the car and most of us get left behind," player Gregory Wilde said. 

To get to Mount Isa each car will use a full tank of fuel, and more, for the way home. 

"If we are taking three or four cars, that's about $100 or something for each car to fill up," Ms Larkins said. 

"Then you're filling up more cars to come back again, so that is another $400, so about $800 a week, depending on how many cars we take in. 

"That's half of their wage each, they struggle a lot, they hardly have any money as it is." 

Lake Nash has only one store and no other businesses, so sponsorship is very hard to come by.

This means the money for fuel, registration and jerseys all comes out of the players pockets, which does not leave them with much spending money. 

"We are also struggling for money to feed them, so hopefully, fingers-crossed they get a kangaroo going in on Friday, then that's their dinner," Ms Larkins said. 

"Then on Saturdays, if they are not lucky enough, they don't get any money, they will just go to the game hungry." 

Renee Larkins said the players often come off the field sick, feeling faint and shaking. 

"It's not very nice to stand on the sidelines and see these boys love something so much and they struggle every week to get into town," she said. 

"They go without things, they go without money, they go without food, just for the love of football.

English is a second language in the community — the players mostly speak Alyawarre to each other. 

This gives them an on-field advantage as the other teams do not know what they are saying, but it also means they are very shy. 

In a heartfelt letter to the ABC they have explained the challenges they face each week. 

Despite the challenges, the Young Guns have made it into the grand final three years in a row, but are yet to win it.

So the players are looking for sponsors to help get them over the line. 

"We need a bus, we need a bit of money coming our way, they need money for food and fuel, the fellas, they are still playing with their same boots from two years ago, because they can't buy new boots," Ms Larkins said. 

"I wanted to start up a bank account for the Young Guns club, we'll definitely keep the receipts, and everything will be done professionally." 

To read the original article and view the video also, go to the original ABC story at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-19/young-guns-struggle-for-food-and-fuel/

If you know of anyone who might be able to assist the club through sponsorship, contact the club, the ABC or ourselves. 

Picture Credit: Lucy Murray, ABC North West Queensland

  ...

Nicola Barr, the inaugural number one draft pick for the AFLW has made a name for herself not only on the footy field but also off field too.

“I have recently graduated from the degree and am now working at Starlight Children’s foundation as well as taking a couple of spin classes each week,” Barr said.

“Balancing these things in addition to AFLW training can be quite a challenge at times! For me the best way to juggle these commitments is to ensure that while I am doing something to be completely focused on it," Barr said.

“To do this I practice mindfulness and being present – this really helps me to stay focused on the task at hand.”

Barr began playing football when she was 17 years old, and is now in her fifth year of playing football.

Lots of people have influenced Barr’s football and sporting career but the person who has influenced her career the most was her sports director at high school.

“I was convinced that I wanted to stick to soccer but he told me I had what it takes to be a footballer and that women’s football was going to grow,” Barr said.

“If he wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be playing AFL today.” Barr’s main strengths in football include running with the football and getting into a position to get a handball receive.

“Definitely need to improve on beating my direct opponent (one versus one) and improve my tackling pressure,” Barr said.

“This isn’t a side of footy that comes very naturally to me so I need to work on this.”

Barr believes new GWS Giant Delma Gisu will be the player to watch.

“Delma Gisu is brand new to our team this year, and so far she has impressed at training,” Barr said.

“She is extremely quick and speedy but also has an amazing leap – she will be a surprise factor for sure.”

Since being at the GWS Giants, Barr has learnt a lot from several players.

Image (Right) Source: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images AsiaPac

“I have learnt to be a good leader and to have care for my teammates from Fridge (Captain Amanda Faruggia), to be calm under pressure from Cora Staunton, and to understand much more about the game itself from Alicia Eva (who I was lucky enough to coach alongside at the under 18s carnival this year),” Barr said.

The coach who has the biggest impact on her football career has been the Giants current head coach Alan McConnell.

“He has simplified footy for me and I feel a lot more confident in the decisions that I make when playing,” Barr said.

“He generally doesn’t like to give too much a way, which is good most of the time because I don’t like to overthink the game.”

The player Barr models her game on is Sydney Swans men’s half back Jake Lloyd.

“He defends, but the best part of his game is linking up with the midfielders and forwards to create some attack from the backline which I like to do as well,” Barr said.

Barr loves to play for the Giants and to be part of the club.

“The Giants is a really family orientated club and they are really inclusive of everyone,” Barr said.

“People from all walks of life are welcomed to the club and that makes it feel really special.”

In her third season at the Giants, Barr is most looking forward to being in a professional sporting environment as she has two years experience.

“I’m looking forward to being more comfortable in a professional sporting environment,” Barr said.

“The first couple of years playing AFLW have been fairly big and new because I haven’t played elite sport before this, and so going in this season I feel much more relaxed and comfortable which means that I’ll be able to develop as a footballer much more easily without worrying about external pressures.”

Heading into the third AFLW season the Giants have a learnt a lot from their previous two seasons that have them in good stead moving forward.

Barr believes the Giants can win the competition this season, as they have been improving on the areas that have let them down in previous seasons.

“We have built a team full of trust and that is key to playing good football,” Barr said.

To get ready for a match, Barr listens to disco music her favourite pre-match pump up music.

Some other fun facts about Barr is her favourite movie is Dirty Dancing and something she cannot live without is peanut butter. 

Image (Left) Source: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images AsiaPac ...

The Western Bulldogs drafted 22-year-old Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy after she impressed at the Cross Coders program.

McCarthy was picked at no.23 in the draft.

“It was the middle of the night at home so I was quite tired but waited up eagerly to see if my name was going to be called out,” McCarthy said.

“I could not believe it when I was announced at pick 23 – it did not feel real until I actually landed in Melbourne a month ago.”

“I am delighted to have been selected by the Bulldogs, they are a great club with a great ethos and culture.” 

Image Source: @aish_mac

McCarthy is also an experienced Gaelic footballer.

“Gaelic Football is one of the first sports I turned my hand to when I was younger,” McCarthy said.

“I first started playing when I was around 7 years old and have developed my skills from a very early age with my club Cahir and throughout my career with Tipperary.”

“I made the under 14 Tipperary team when I was 12 years old and I have progressed through the underage ranks,” McCarthy said.

“I finished off my underage career by captaining the under 18 team to All-Ireland success in 2014.”

“In 2013, I was asked to join the Tipperary Senior team at the age of 16.”

“It was a major honour for me to join the panel at such a young age and play alongside some of my childhood heroes,” McCarthy said.

“I have had success in the Tipperary jersey winning the All-Ireland Intermediate title in 2017 and claiming the Division 2 title in 2018.”

“2017 was a memorable year for me personally – I was honoured to receive ‘Player of the Match’ in the All-Ireland final and I finished the year on a high by being awarded the Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year at the TG4 All-Stars,” McCarthy said.

“I have had many more great memories with my University team (UL) winning the O’Connor Cup in 2017.”

“However, I have so much more I would like to achieve in my LGFA career going forward.”

McCarthy’s journey to get onto an AFLW list began via the Cross Coders Program.

“Firstly, I received a message from Lauren Spark about the Cross Coders Program explaining it was a global initiative to give female athletes from other sports an opportunity to be scouted by the AFLW teams,” McCarthy said.

“I began my application which included videos of me playing Gaelic Football for Tipperary, and a Skype call interview.”

Image Source: @LadiesFootball

“It was not long until I received an email which was an invite to the week-long trial camp, giving 18 athletes the opportunity to showcase their talent to the AFLW teams,” McCarthy said.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I could not forgo.”

McCarthy was involved in a training camp for one week with the Cross Coders.

This camp provided her with a first hand experience of the game of AFLW.

The camp included testing conducted at Victoria University, training sessions mainly skills-based and they played a match against a team of VFLW players in Sandringham.

In this match the athletes in the Cross Coders dominated the match from start to finish.

There were scouts present at this Cross Coders program and every AFLW team was provided with vision from the program.

“There was a little bit of interest from various clubs after the trial but it was still unknown whether a club was definitely going to pick me up in the draft,” McCarthy said.

“The Cross Coders camp was run so professionally and I cannot thank them enough for helping me to be able to become an AFLW player.”

“I am working hard now to become the best player I can be and hopefully be in contention to make the match day squad for Round 1.”

For McCarthy learning the rules of AFLW has been the biggest change from Gaelic Football so far.

“The physicality of the game is also different,” McCarthy said.

“I am learning new things every day and asking questions all the time to ensure I am up to speed on everything come Round 1.”

McCarthy’s signing has been significant for women’s footy in Ireland and internationally.

“Cora being signed last year was big news and now that there is five Irish girls playing for AFLW clubs it is very significant for women’s footy in Ireland and abroad,” McCarthy said.

“It shows there are doors being opened for amateur sportswomen to play at a semi-professional level.”

“The media coverage of AFLW will definitely increase at home with more of us involved in the game,” McCarthy said.

“The prospect of playing a sport professionally is what entices me the most – the opportunity to fulfill my potential as an athlete.”

“The professional aspect is something that I think all sportspeople would like to experience.”

McCarthy became interested in the AFL a few years ago when the Sydney Swans recruited fellow Tipperary male footballer Colin O’Riordan.

Only recently her interest in the AFLW peaked when fellow Irishwoman Cora Staunton moved to Australia to play for the GWS Giants in the 2018 AFLW season.

McCarthy will return home to play in the LGFA at the end of the AFLW season for Tipperary.

“I will miss the National League while the AFLW season is being played but will return home in April for the championship.”

“I have stayed in contact with the management and players and will work hard to prove my worth when I return home to my native county in April,” McCarthy said.

“I think the AFLW training and season will benefit me going into the Gaelic season.”

Heading into her first season with the Western Bulldogs, McCarthy is proud and extremely excited to have the opportunity to play women’s football down under.

“The pride about being part of the Western Bulldog’s community is special!,” McCarthy said.

“They are building on the foundation they have laid down in the first two seasons and there is a buzz in the camp looking ahead to season 3.0.” 

Image Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO                                        Image Source: Matt Browne/SPORTSFILE ...

The National University League got back into gear last weekend. The following report comes from the www.afl.england.org website, detailing the results and the implications ahead of the final round next month.

Birmingham turned up the heat on home soil as they won all four of their games to jump to the top of both the Men’s and Women’s division. 

After a bye in Round 2, the two sides jumped straight back into the fray as the men’s team kept up their unbeaten record.  

A total of seven individual goal-kickers saw them see of the Universities of South Wales (UoSW) team, and they followed that up by soundly beating Cambridge. Four goals from James Williams and three for Ciaran Jeanes across the round helping their side secure a spot in the inaugural NUL Men’s Grand Final with a round to spare.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Division, Birmingham are also sitting in top spot, after four goals from Neave Dent helped them thrash the UoSW by 58 points, the biggest margin of victory in the Women’s Division this season.   

They then put in another dominant display keeping Cambridge goalless in a rematch of the first-ever NUL match. 

The Birmingham teams now have a combined record of 7-1 across the two divisions this season, and haven’t lost an NUL match since the opening game of the season against Oxford Women in November. 

Meanwhile, the UoSW Men’s team recorded their first win of the season with a 7.10 (52) to 4.9 (33) defeat over Cambridge in the battle for third place in the Men’s Division. 

Soundly beaten in both Round 2 matches – including a 110-point mauling at the hands of Oxford – the team bounced back and reversed a 51-point loss against Cambridge into a 19-point win thanks to three goals from Josh Davey, who scored five across the entire round. 

It was a disappointing end to the regular season for the Cambridge sides, with a win apiece for both their men’s and women’s sides.

The women now sit second in the ladder behind Birmingham on percentage only and will have a nervous wait ahead of Round 4 to see if they can hold on to a spot in the Grand Final. 

For the Cambridge Men, they were the beneficiaries of a 50-0 forfeit win over UoSW, but still missed out on a spot in the Grand Final 

Round 4 takes place in Cardiff on February 16th as the regular season draws to a close. With the top two teams confirmed in the Men’s Division, all eyes will be on Oxford to see if they can overtake Cambridge in the Women’s Division and also make it to the Grand Final.

Round 3 Results:

Men’s Division

Birmingham 11.12 (78) def. Universities of South Wales 2.5 (17)

Birmingham 9.6 (60) def. Cambridge 3.6 (24)

Cambridge def. UoSW (forfeit – 50-0)

Women’s Division

Birmingham 10.8 (68) def. Universities of South Wales 1.4 (10)

Birmingham 4.9 (33) def. Cambridge 0.1 (1)

Cambridge 6.4 (40) def. Universities of South Wales 2.11 (23)

Round 4 Fixtures:

(Men’s & Women’s Division) 

Universities of South Wales vs Birmingham

Universities of South Wales vs Oxford

Birmingham vs Oxford

  ...

In a rare opportunity to chat with a club president of a club from New Guinea, a fascinating account of growth and regrowth emerges. In the process, West Eagles boss, Alois Melua, gives us a small window into how a club operates in the shadow of other stronger codes in Port Moresby. 

Alois started playing Australian Rules football in 2010. He played for several clubs in Port Moresby, starting with the Uni Tigers -the club managed by his late cousin and key figure in local PNG footy, Peter Meli. In 2017, Alois was with the Koboni club and joined the Eagles in 2018. 

The club’s past shows a journey with highs and lows. “The West Eagles club started way back in the late 80s and has been one of the prominent clubs in history of AFL in Port Moresby and around the country as well. The club had won several grand finals in the Port Moresby AFL competition and also produce many talented and skilful players who have represented the country playing for PNG Mosquitos Team.” 

 “Due to misunderstandings within the club management, West Eagles did not participate in the Port Moresby AFL competition for almost seven years until we revived the club in 2015. Since then, West Eagles has been competing in the Port Moresby AFL competition for the last three years.”   

We started [again] from scratch after seven years of absence from the AFL scene. We had to recruit new players and train them to capture the skills to be able to play the game as we wished. It was a rough and tough time trying to put the puzzles back together.”

“We recruited most of the young players in West Eagles club [for] 2018.  Through dedication and commitment of the management team we reaped what we sowed. [In] 2018 West Eagles Club is back to where it is before.” 

“West Eagles is doing really well in developing the players. [We have] got some good talented players who can run [and control the play]. Playing against other clubs like the Bomana Cats, Central Bomas and Uni Tigers, it is always an easy win for West Eagles because they are not really competitive. Lamana Dockers and Koboni [are the teams] where you can really see players are on their toes and going hard for the ball and playing [hard] footy.”  

Alois was candid about how he saw the game in Papua New Guinea on a wider scale. “In Port Moresby, AFL is not really organized and managed as well as other codes. We have some good talented players who play for the clubs in Port Moresby but because of [management deficiencies in] AFL in Port Moresby, some players see that there’s no future of playing AFL so they switch codes.”  

“We do have couple of good AFL experienced people in the club. Some of them have represented the country in international championships and clubs championships too. I’m just a new kid on the block and I’m really trying to do the best for the players for their future.” 

“We have some good talented players in the club who represented the country in international championships for many years but still [Port Moresby] AFL is not recognizing them or doing something for their future. I’m bit worried because some of my players and PNG representatives are now switching codes because they don’t see any future for AFL in Port Moresby. This year my dream is to work hard and get them to splay in some clubs in Cairns or other state in Australia.” 

“The AFL competition in Port Moresby is not really as strong like other codes. It’s not getting any bigger. Many provinces in the country have no AFL competition.” 

The evidence, however, paints a picture of support from AFL Queensland including development staff. This is also translating to big junior numbers across the nation joining programs and a rapidly growing women’s game.  

According to the AFL Queensland website, the game in PNG is well run and growing. “AFLPNG Development are the AFL’s development arm in Papua New Guinea, with 20 full-time staff and a strong focus on development and talent. 

The team at AFLPNG Development conduct Coaching, Umpiring and Match play programs across six provinces of PNG, with approximately 70,000 boys, girls, men & women annually, aged from 5 – 40 years taking part. 

The AFLPNG Development “Paradise Foods Niukick” program is the flagship introductory program to the sport of AFL used across PNG, teaching the basic skills of our game, as well as developing good behaviours around health, disability inclusion and gender-based violence. 

With a direct link to the AFLQ Talent pathway you will also see the PNG U/14 Binatang boys & U/17 Kurakum girls competing in the AFL QLD Youth Academy Championships each year. 

The world beating national men’s Mozzies and women’s Flames teams are continually at the pointy end the International Cup every three years with the Mozzies winning the past two competitions.” 

The nation has produced players who have gone on to AFL lists with Mal Michael the most celebrated after his career at Collingwood, Brisbane Lions and Essendon. Gideon Simon was on Richmond’s rookie list for a time and Brendan Beno was signed to the Brisbane Lions academy. David Meli was rookie drafted by Essendon. There have been and will be others. 

Alois sees pathways to the big time as the lure for both his West Eagles players and any others who want to pursue the game at a higher level – even via the strong AFL Cairns competition which is the closest.  

“I think that it would be a great opportunity for the players in PNG to come and play in the Cairns competition. It will fulfil my dreams of getting my players to play in Cairns too.”  

The game of Australian football was first played back in 1944 when Australian servicemen introduced the game to the nation. Since then the game has had ups and downs. The nation has been a dominating force at international level with their Mosquitoes team winning the 2017 International Cup in Melbourne. They have won that title three times since 2002 and never missed a grand final. They also backed it up with the Asian Champs title in Kuala Lumpar last year.  

The talent coming out of PNG is frightening. But, perhaps his view is restricted purely to a local club level, which is always a different prospect to the wider picture. Maybe his West Eagles are part of that drive to take the game in PNG back to its former lofty (by current comparison) heights.

*This article expresses the view of the interviewee and does not reflect the opinions of World Footy News.

  ...

Fremantle Dockers AFLW best and fairest winner Ebony Antonio is primed and raring to go as the 2019 AFLW season is almost upon us.

Antonio debuted for the Dockers in Round 1, 2017 against the Western Bulldogs and it was a surreal feeling for her. “It’s hard to describe that feeling but yes I guess it was quite overwhelming,” Antonio said.

Image Source: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images AsiaPac

“I was very nervous at the time and like walking out of the change rooms and onto the ground was like a dream come true,” Antonio said. “Something that I always wanted and to do as a little kid, so just finally living out my dream I guess.”

The person who has influenced her footy and sporting career the most is her Dad. “My Dad just because all my memories as a little kid, growing up was with my Dad playing footy on the oval or taking me down when he was coaching my brothers at AusKick,” Antonio said. “My Dad was the one who taught me how to kick, handball, mark and everything like that as a youngster.”

Antonio first started playing football with her Dad. “With my Dad just like maybe from six onwards and then went and played a year or two at Bull Creek Leeming JFC and then got cut off at the age of 12 I think it is.” Antonio believes she is a pretty good leader, so my voice and just my work ethic. “I hope that inspires other girls to work hard as well.”

The player to watch in the 2019 AFLW would be Philipa Seth. “I would say Phil Seth, she is one of our newbies this year,” Antonio said. “I think she brings a lot of X-factor and seeing how she is a newbie as well will go very underrated, looking forward to see how she goes.”

Heading into the new season the Dockers will have a new coach Trent Cooper. “He’s bought in many good things and it’s been a very nice change, but I think the biggest change for this year is that he has focused a lot on skills,” Antonio said. “Just the way, he communicates with players is very very pleasing to see.”

Antonio models her game on Dockers skipper Kara Donnellan. “Just her work ethic and her knowledge of the game,” Antonio said. “She has been playing since she was a little grasshopper”. “I think she has a world of knowledge and wealth and just the way she goes about her business is pretty inspiring…so if I could be half the player she is I would be pretty happy with that.”

The Dockers AFLW preseason-training program is intense like you would expect from a semi-professional sporting team. “A lot of running, practically a lot of running, a lot of strength work and building up preparing for the season,” Antonio said. “If you’re practically not on the field running and getting k’s into the legs then you will be in the gym pumping up the iron and getting the muscles pumping.”

Outside of football, Antonio is in her second year of doing an electrical apprenticeship and has two years to go till she becomes certified.

Antonio loves to play women’s football, a sport that never seemed possible for women to play. “I love the fact that we’re able to break down those barriers of stereotypes and everything like that,” Antonio said. “Just the physical attribute of the game as well as inspiring the younger generation, especially little girls to play and follow their dreams to play footy.”

The 2019 AFLW season is only eight days away and the Dockers like every AFLW team is feeling optimistic about their chances ahead of the new season. “I think anything’s possible,” Antonio said. “I definitely think we’re in for a good season. “It’s really hard to make comment on that yet as you don’t want to you know come out say you’re going to win the premiership.”

“At the end of the day we play footy to win, so I’m sure Fremantle Dockers AFLW going to be in for a pretty good season.” Antonio will be playing in her third AFLW season with the Dockers and she is looking forward to just getting back into match play. “Just playing Round 1 and hopefully get a win and that will set us up for the rest of the season.”

Image Source: Fremantle Football Club Media ...

The inaugural National University League season is yet to be completed and already the concept has grown further. AFL England have announced on their website www.aflengland.org that an All-Star team from the NUL will take on an Irish universities team. Following is the article detailing the event. 

AFL England is delighted to announce that a team representing the National University League will take on an Irish Universities team this year as university football continues to grow across Great Britain and Ireland. 

The International University Test Matches will take place on April 20th in Dublin, and feature both Men’s and Women’s fixtures.  

The NUL All-Stars team will be selected from some of the best players in the National University League’s inaugural season. More details about the selection process for the All-Stars will be [announced later].

 “I’ve seen first-hand the passion and enthusiasm on display by each of the member universities in the National University League,” said NUL coordinator Will Shillibier. “I am delighted that this will be recognised and rewarded with the opportunity to represent England and Wales abroad.”  

This fixture is the latest in the AFL England ‘All Stages, All Ages’ strategy which is committed to providing footballing opportunities to players, whatever stage they are at. 

“After a very successful inaugural NUL, we wanted to test them against the best Ireland has to offer,” said AFL England President Jason Hill. “In the lead-up to the AFL Europe Championships and International Cup 2020 I’m sure both our National Teams will be looking on the games, and wider competitions, to see the up and coming talent that our Universities have to offer. 

Ireland has shown itself to be consistently one of the best European footballing nations, winning the nine-a-side Euro Cup in 2011 and 2012, and the 18-a-side AFL Europe Championship in both 2010 and 2013.

At a university level, the UCC Bombers are three-time Fitzpatrick Cup champions in the men’s tournament while the UCC Crusaders have won every women’s tournament since its inception. 

AFL Ireland Women’s Coach Mike Currane said “This is another very exciting development for European & global international football. It’s also massive for Irish Women’s football particularly being announced at the same time as the first ever AFL Ireland Women’s Universities Cup. The games will provide another opportunity and stepping stone towards full International Australian football for students. With university football in its infancy but growing in both regions this represents a very exciting step, providing us as National Coaches another opportunity to test and develop players. 

Meanwhile, Irish Warriors Head Coach Brian Currane added that the fixtures will play a “big part” in the National Team Development Program.

“I am delighted to be involved in this exciting announcement as it comes at a key time for the growth of AFL Ireland. With the Universities having a large pool of up and coming talent, this is a great opportunity for them to experience full 18-a-side football and to represent the Irish Universities team.” 

To read the original article from AFL England, go to: http://www.aflengland.org/nul-all-stars-to-face-irish-universities-side/

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Gab Pound has called Carlton home since 2017 when she made her debut in Round 1 against Collingwood.

“You couldn’t describe it, it was just an insane feeling it was very surreal and emotional,” Pound said. “I’m getting emotional thinking about it right now.”

“It was amazing to not only play AFL but women’s sport I think, we were given a massive platform and people were interested in it,” Pound said. “A filled up Ikon Park and we never expected that so pretty insane to get that amount of people coming and watching. It was a magical night and yes it was pretty insane.”

Image Source: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images AsiaPac

Pound played football through Auskick when she was younger and then from Auskick she went and played in Albury. She had to stop playing at the age of 12 and picked up football again when she was 18 where she played some club football for the Melbourne University Football Club. Then from Melbourne University she was picked by Carlton to play in the AFLW.

“I have some really fond memories about playing Auskick,” Pound said. “My Dad and Mum taking me to footy.”

“I was quite a sporty kid, so I played a variety of sports basketball, tennis, soccer, netball so a fair few sports. Then I kind of found out that girls play footy as well and that was in the open age.”

“I also found out that there was an under 18 competition, so I went down to Wagga,” Pound said. “Played in the under 18’s national competition and moved to Melbourne after and played for Melbourne University for about 4-5 years.”

When Pound was at Melbourne University Football Club, she played with Emma Kearney and Kaitlyn Ashmore and learned a lot from them.

“Yeah it was great to kind of gel with them and to learn from Kearney especially, she’s got a really unique style to play,” Pound said. “She is a very smart, in and under player and she was a great leader as well and a good friend, I still catch up with her and yes it was really cool to learn from her.”

Pound is half Sri Lankan through her Dad. “We’ve been here for a very long time now and Dad was a baby when he came to Australia,” Pound said. As well as footy, Pound is very much into her cricket due to the huge influence of her Dad. She played cricket for a season.

“Dad loved it and I would ride down to training with him, which was fun,” Pound said. “Yes Dad absolutely loves it, “It’s always on TV and its pretty funny. Going for Sri Lanka at the moment against Australia.”

Pound’s Dad has also been the person who has influenced her football and sporting career the most.

“He was a pretty good footballer back in the day, he didn’t make AFL level he just played VFL back in the day,” Pound said. “He is just very passionate about sport in general, mostly cricket and football.”

“So I think him being a very strong Sri Lankan and wanted to connect with the community down here and he’s loved it all his life,” Pound said. “He’s really positive and always talks to me about footy and just giving me little pointers and everything.”

“He make’s every game when he can,” Pound said. “He has just been a very positive influence in how I play and in what I do.”

Also her Dad provided her with some good advice when was a child that she still goes by today.

“I would say to do what you love,” Pound said. “I mean we always had that barrier being female.”

“Dad always encouraged me to whatever I wanted. Even if it was a male dominated sport like cricket that I played for a season and pretty much to do whatever you want, so don’t get held up with societal norms.”

For Pound, her number one priority is her football and this is why she is thinking about working towards a profession that will work well with being a footballer.

“Thinking about doing Outdoor Education stuff, so whether that will be getting a Bachelor at Latrobe or getting a Certificate 4 in at TAFE,” Pound said. “So yes definitely looking towards that.”

Heading into the 2019 AFLW season, Carlton will have a new head coach in Daniel Harford. Since Harford has been at the club he has already changed the vibe within the club, as he is very approachable with the players.

“I think everything went wrong for us maybe last year,” Pound said. “I feel like this year is very positive and there’s lots of great energy amongst us.”

“Everyone is really have a good time and working really hard as well. I think we are connecting well with each other.”

“Entrusting the structure and the game plan, I think once that happens it will you know falls into place,” Pound said. “We can really go from there.”

Image Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac                                  ...